Chemical shoreline cleaning agents: Evaluation of two laboratory procedures for estimating performance

The report presents data from studies designed to evaluate characteristics of selected bench-scale test methods for estimating cleaning performance of chemical agents for removal of oil from substrate surfaces. Such agents have the potential to be used to remove oil that might strand on shorelines and cause adverse effects to impacted ecosystems. In order to mitigate the effect of stranded oil with chemical cleaning agents, however, an on-scene coordinator must have information and an understanding of performance characteristics for available cleaning agents. Performance of candidate cleaning agents can be estimated on the basis of laboratory testing procedures that are designed to evaluate performance of different agents. Data presented in the report are intended to assist the U.S. EPA in evaluation of candidate test methods for estimating performance of cleaning agents. Two test methods were selected for evaluating performance: Environment Canada's Inclined Trough test and a Swirling Coupon test developed in the program.