What Are They?
Tar balls are fragments or lumps of oil weathered to a semi-solid or solid consistency, feel sticky, and are difficult to remove from contaminated surfaces. They are formed through the combining of viscous hydrocarbons with debris that is present in the water column. They range in size from a pinhead to approximately 30 centimeters in diameter.
Where Do They Come From?
Dispersants are chemicals that are applied directly to an oil slick. The key components of chemical dispersants are surface active agents called surfactants (also known as detergents). Chemical dispersants assist with breaking up the slick into small droplets ranging in size from a few micrometers to a few millimeters.
An effective way to remove oil from the surface of water is through controlled burning, called in-situ burning. In-situ burning can remove approximately 100 gallons/day/square foot of surface area under ideal conditions. By removing oil from the water surface, we are protecting birds, marine mammals, turtles, and the sensitive Florida coast from the effects of the oil spill.
| Reportable Substances | Triggers | Immediately Report To |
|---|---|---|
|
Air Pollutants 1 |
Any emission exceeding any permit condition or limit. |
Implementing Agency 1 |
|
CERCLA HS |
Release of a RQ into the environment. |
| Telephone Numbers for Reporting Oil and Hazardous Materials Spills | |
|---|---|
| Federal |
U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center (800) 424-8802 (24 Hours) |
| State of Florida |
(800) 320-0519 (24 Hours) |
What you need to know in the event of a hazardous waste spill
| Office of Emergency Response | Contact Number |
|---|---|
| Main Switchboard | 850-245-2010 |
| Main Fax | 850-245-2882 |
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Office of Emergency Response
3900 Commonwealth Blvd, MS 659
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000
The Environmental Response Team (ERT) is a DEP founded team whose members are from different state and county organizations from around Florida. Members volunteer to be a part of the team but are selected for their capabilities.
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