Abstract: Irregularly shaped particles of foamed cellular polystyrene having a relatively large surface area produced by comminuting preformed solid blocks or other shapes of molded expanded polystyrene foam articles are spread on floating marine oil spills to agglomerate the oil and maintain it on the surface pending removal, thereby avoiding contamination of the submarine environment. The particles can be distributed in a dry state or mixed with a liquid to facilitate controlled spreading of the lightweight particles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for studying the effect of heat, wind and other physical and/or biological factors on the loss of hydrocarbons from oily sludge wastes in a landfarming system. Preferably, the invention is a landfarming simulation testing apparatus and method that can be used to simulate real environmental conditions in a laboratory. The invention may be used to study the effect of physical factors such as, for example, temperature, wind, humidity, sunrays and/or acid rain. Also, the invention can be used to study the effect of biological factors such as, for example, oily sludge-degrading microorganisms. The apparatus is also useful for treatment of appropriate amounts of waste.