Innovative Oil Spill Cleanup: Utilizing Hair Booms as Reusable, Biodegradable Absorbent in the Philippines Sea
Keywords:
Philippine Sea, oil spills, marine biodiversity, biodegradable hair booms, coastal ecosystemsAbstract
The Philippine Sea, covering roughly 5 million square kilometers, play a vital role in global and regional marine biodiversity due to its rich ecological significance. It provides habitat for numerous endemic and migratory marine species, including fish, corals, marine mammals, and invertebrates that contribute to the balance of ocean ecosystems. The sea support crucial coastal ecosystem such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forest, which serve as natural barriers against that contribute to the balance of ocean ecosystems. The sea support crucial coastal ecosystem such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forest, which serve as natural barriers against storms, breeding grounds for marine life, and sources of food and income for Filipinos who rely on fishing, tourism, and marine resources for survival. The region has gained international attention for its conservation initiatives, highlighted by the Philippines receiving the 2023 Earthshot Prize for efforts aimed at protecting marine biodiversity and addressing the impacts of climate change. Despite these achievements, the Philippine Sea continues to face serious environmental threats, particularly from pollution, overfishing, and oil spills. Oil spills are especially destructive as they contaminate marine habitats, kill marine organisms, and disrupt local economies that depend on clean coastal waters. A major oil spill that occurred on February 28, 2023, off the coast of Oriental Mindoro severely threatened marine protected areas, fisheries, and tourism-related industries. The incident highlighted the urgent need for effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly oil spill response methods. This research proposes the use of biodegradable hair booms as an alternative solution for oil spill cleanup. Hair booms are capable of absorbing oil efficiently while being reusable and eco-friendly, making them a promising remediation strategy for reducing environmental damage in marine environments and supporting long-term coastal protection.
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