SORBENT PAD WITH CARBON AND COCO HUSK ( Cocos nucifera ) AS

AN OIL SPILL CLEAN UP AGENT

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS IN RESEARCH III

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

TEAM CATEGORY

Student Researchers:

Ashley Anne Fernandez

Froyzhel Amor M. Escobido

Cristine Anne F. Yosores

Research Adviser:

Ms. Rizza Earl Veverly T. Angeles

2018-2019

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page……………………………………………………………………………………1

Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………...2

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………..3

Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………………….…4

Chapter 1: Introduction

Background of the Study……………………………………………………………….…...5

Statement of the Problem…………………………………………………………………...7

Hypothesis………………………………………………………………………………….7

Objectives of the study……………………………………………………………………...7

Significance of the Study…………………………………………………………………...8

Scope and Delimitation……………………………………………………………………..8

Definition of Terms…………………………………………………………………………9

Chapter 2:

Review of Related Literature………………………………………………………………10

Chapter 3:

Research locale…………………………………………………………………………….14

Research design……………………………………………………………………………14

Materials and Methods…………………………………………………………………….14

Results and Discussion ……………………………………………………...…………….16

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………17

Recommendation………………..………………………………...……………………….18

Reference Lists……………………………………………………………………….........19

Appendices…………………………………………………………………….…………..22

Flow chart………………………………………………………………………………….24

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 ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to design an efficient sorbent product. Organic materials were

used as aid in reducing oil spill. The dried, stripped coconut husks and the carbon were put

together and sealed by a fabric in order to form a pad. Three treatments were attained; 75%

coconut husk 25% carbon, 25% coconut husk 75% carbon, 50% coconut husk 50% carbon, the

different treatments were dipped quantitatively, as well as qualitatively. The result showed that

the pad can be an efficient oil spill clean-up in terms of oil sorption capacity. The researchers

based the most effective among the 3 treatments by the oil sorption capacity and the retention

time which is 15 minutes. The results show that the pad can be an efficient oil spill clean-up

agent. More ever, treatment 3 which has 50% carbon and 50% coco husk can absorb the greatest

amount of oil among the three treatments while treatment 1 which has 25% coco husk and 75%

carbon, has the least amount of oil absorbed.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researchers would like to send their warm and heartiest appreciation to those who

have contributed to the successful completion of this project. A million thanks to those who

involved themselves directly in all aspects to complete this study.

First and foremost, the students researchers would like express their gratitude to their

research adviser Ms. Rizza Earl Veverly Angeles, for giving them the wonderful opportunity to

complete and do this study. It is truly an honor. Thank you for all the advice, ideas, moral

support, patience and guidance. To the principal, Mr. Zandro G. Sepe, thank you for the support,

guidance in making this study. To Mr. Danilo G. Pabon, the Science Department Head for hid

vital support and contribution for the study. To their class adviser, Mr. Caluyo for giving them

advice, moral support.

Special thanks should also be given to their parents who continuously supported them,

morally and financially.

And most of all, the Almighty God, for giving the researchers the strength, power, and

guidance.

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 INTRODUCTION

A. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The world experiences series of oil spill as time passes by. Each day, several

countries are suffering from this accident. Oil spill is the release of liquid petroleum hydrocarbon

into the environment, especially the marine ecosystem, due to human activities, and it is a form

of pollution. This oil spill can lessen our marine animals and lead them to extinction. Most of the

marine animals or plants can be used as for human food. Human health can be also affected from

the oil spill, that’s why numerous ways of cleaning up oil spill were developed.

Oil spill account for a significant source of marine pollution around the world, and

can severely impact marine ecosystem. Due to U.S experience in oil spill response, the US

Government is often asked to assist in responding to oil spill incidents that occur in other

countries, depending on the nature and the location of the spill. The United States will try to

offer the appropriate level of assistance, especially when that assistance can enhance our

international relations and demonstrates our commitment to protecting the marine environment.

The US Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency have primary responsibility for

containing and cleaning up oil spills that occur in water. In United States, various other USG

Agencies help with oil spill response. When a formal request for oil spill assistance is received,

the office of Ocean and Dolar Affairs coordinates with relevant US Government agencies to

determine whether assistance should be provided.

In the Philippines, the government uses skimmers boom, or bioremediation, since

deficit arises in the country. These ways are not applicable as it involves a lot of money when the

Guimaras Oil spill occurred last August 11, 2016. The people used an agent for cleaning up the

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oil spill. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) commented on the move. Hair

should not be utilized for it is not an appropriate tool in the problem because it is non

biodegradable. Thus other organic raw materials must be applied. In Guimaras, a place part of

the Philippines has been affected by oil spill occurred in Panagul last August 11 2016, when oil

tanker of M/T solar 1 sunk off the coastal of Guimaras and Negros Island in the Philippines,

causing what is considered as the worst oil spill in the country. It causes sinking if M/T Solar 1

during storm. And also there are 1 dead and 2 missing people. ( 2006)

In Zamboanga City, an oil spill has affected parts of the shore line of the Sangali Port

Area. The oil spill was detected to have come from one of the old pipelines of Western

Mindanao Power Corporation (WMPC) which has been operating dunker fuelled power plant in

the city Dennis Aguilar, safety officer of WMPC said the leak was due to wear and tear of the

pipe, which has not been replaced for nearly 20 years. The leak however, was also immediately

fixed with specialize rubber and clamps. WMPC personnel were able to contain the oil spill by

using rice stalks and dishwashing liquid to clean the affected shorelines and boulders which have

been affected by around 20 litres of bunker oil. The Philippine Coast Guard said the oil spill was

immediately contained in the shorelines of the port area and did not spread to nearby coastal

villages. Seaweeds and other marine products nearby were also not affected by the oil spill, the

PCG said. (ABSCBN News, 2017)

The purpose of this study is to decrease the oil spill in our ocean and to provide an

alternative cleaning agent for oil spills.

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 B. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the different quantity of the coco husk

and carbon as a sorbent in reducing oil spill. Specifically, this study sought:

To determine the best quantity of sorbent pad with coco husk and activated carbon as an

oil spill cleanup agent in terms of:

a. Retention Time

b. Oil Sorption Capacity

C. HYPOTHESES

1. The alternative sorbent pad for oil spill can be an efficient oil spill clean up agent in terms

of the retention time and oil sorption capacity.

2. The pad with 50 % coco husk and 50% carbon is the best quantity for cleaning up oil

spills.

D. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This study carried out to design a product in decreasing oil spill. The researchers would

like to determine the following:

1. To determine if the carbon and coco husk can be an efficient clean up Agent in reducing

oil spill in terms of retention time and oil sorption capacity

2. To determine the best quantity of sorbent pad with coco husk and activated carbon as an

oil spill cleanup agent

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 E. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study aims to inform people that this could be used as material in making an

alternative clean up agent for oil spill that is useful and effective.

The main beneficiaries are the fisherman for them to still have a lot of fishes to catch

because oil spill is one of the causes of the death of fishes. This study is also beneficial for every

individual to prevent diseases, but many people may not realize that these resources can also

have profound impact on our every day health and awareness.(Lindhal,2017).It helps the body

acquire oxygen and fight off free radicals and brigs serotonin levels into balance.( Lindhal,2017)

F. SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

The coco husk was collected at Brillantes, Tumaga, Zamboanga City and the sea water

will bw collected at Boulevard, Zamboanga City.

The researchers conducted the experiment at Escobido’s residence at Tumaga,

Zamboanga City and at the laboratory of Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School located at

Gov. Ramos Sta.Maria, Zamboanga City.

The researchers used 3 treatments, 3 replicates& 2 samples per treatments. The researcher

will test this experiment by its Retention time and oil sorption capacity. This study has a time

frame from July 2018 to March 2019.

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 G. DEFINITION OF TERMS

Oil Sorption Capacity refers to the parameter used by the researcher to test how much oil can

the pad hold or absorb.

Retention Time refers to one of the parameters used by the researchers to test how much oil can

it absorb in a given time.

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 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The Guimaras Oil Spill occurred in the Panay Gulf on August 11, 2006, when the oil

tanker M/T Solar 1 sank off the coast of Guimaras and Negros Islands in the Philippines, causing

what is considered as the worst oil spill in the Philippines. The oil tanker M/T Solar 1, carrying

more than two million litres of bunker fuel, sank during a violent storm approximately 20.5

kilometres (12.7 mi) off the southern coast of Guimaras at around midnight on August 11, 2006 (

Arias, Dela Cruz,Guillergan & Presaldo, 2006), causing some 500,000 litres (110,000 imp gal;

130,000 US gal) of oil to pour into the gulf, that travelled up through the Guimaras Strait and

Iloilo Strait. Siphoning the remaining 1.5 million liters from the sunken tanker, at a depth of

more than 600 metres (2,000 ft), was scheduled for March 2007. The oilspill adversely affected

marine sanctuaries and mangrove reserves in three out of five municipalities in Guimaras Island

and reached the shores of Iloilo and Negros Occidental. The oil spill occurred in the Guimaras

Strait that connects the Visayan Sea with the Sulu Sea, and is considered a rich fishing ground

that supplies most of the demand for the entire country.

Haribon sent two biologists to Guimaras to assess the damage and talk to the affected

communities regarding their immediate needs. Haribon provided assistance particularly for the

long-term rehabilitation of the area. The government evacuated the affected families who had

been exposed to the toxic elements of the crude oil. According to reports gathered in the

field,people contracted skin diseases associated with these elements.

Several causes have been cited, including bad weather and human error. Allegations have

been made stating that the tanker only had a capacity of 1.2 million litres, implying the

possibility of overloading (The Manila Times,2006). The oil slick also posed a threat to the blue

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crab industry in the municipality of Enrique B. Magalona in Negros Occidental.(Slick to ruin

blue crabs habitat in EB magalona, 2006). On August 22, 2006, the Philippine Coast Guard

stated that the spill has affected 20 communities in 4 municipalities in Guimaras. It also

threatened 27 communities in Iloilo province and 17 others in Negros Occidental (Governor says

no to oil sludge disposal in Guimaras, 2006 ). Biological communities are sensitive to their

chemical environment, although the degree of sensitivity varies among species and communities.

Aquatic ecosystems are particularly responsible e to chemical stress, because pollutants tend to

be well distributed throughout zones active mixing. Response to chemical stress often involves

rapid changes in specific composition of aquatic ecosystem. Aquatic animals have a very

sensitive health, leaving in a polluted water can lead them to death because all of their important

needs are in the water like oxygen, water, and habitat. The chemical contamination of water with

a wide range of toxic products such as metal ions, aromatic molecules, dyes anasoon, is a serious

of environmental problem. The industrial activity accelerates the process of environmental

degradation, through uncontrolled gaseous emissions, indegrate disposal of the industrial wastes

and other several forms that cause the contamination of the environment (Kamel & Sakhawy

2011).

Treatment of petroleum spills and organic solvent pollution in generally is an important

issue; several techniques are under development to remove oil from water. Transporting oil from

production sources to consumption location entails risk, most notably, the risks accidental oil

spill, which can cause severe damage to ecosystem and loss to human society. Major increased in

oil tanker traffic are anticipated in this region, creating urgent new demands for risk information,

disaster management planning, and policy responses (Chang, Stone, Demes & Piscitelli, 2014).

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 The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) is a 10- year independent program

established to study the effect, and the potential associated impact, of hydrocarbon releases on

the environment and public health, as well as to develop improved spill mitigation, oil detection,

remedition technologies (Palmer, 2017).The biomass has been utilized as a tool in environmental

clean up since early 1900 when Arden and Lockett discovered that certain types of living

bacteria cultures were capable of recovering nitrogen and phosphorus from raw sewage when it

was mixed in an aeration tank. This discovery is known as the activated sludge process and is

widely used in wastewater treatment plants today. It wasn’t until the late 1970’s when scientists

noticed the sequestering characteristic in dead biomass resulted in a shift in research from

bioaccumulation to biosorption. The ability of certain types of inactive, dead, microbial biomass

to bind and accumulate heavy metals from aqueous solutions through non-metabolically

mediated or physico-chemical pathways of uptake is known as Biosorption (Volesky 1990).

Nigeria is abundantly blessed with crude oil and ranked the sixth in the world in terms of

production with a daily production quota of 2.4 million barrels. Due to exploration, the volumeof

activity both land and water resulting directly from the transportation and processing of this

crude oil increases the potential for its spillange.

In this study carbon is used, in other related studies the major material is used id

Activated carbon. Both of the study use coconut husk for their second major material. In this

study use 25% coco husk - 75% carbon, 50% coco husk – 50 % carbon, and 75% coco husk – 25

% carbon. Most of the related studies will depend to the area of the water that us contaminated

by oil spills and that’s where they can make the specific measurement of the materials they used.

Here the area for removing the oil spill is just a small area while in others they used the part of

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the sea where the oil spill was really contaminated. This study made an alternative solution for

removing oil spill with the use of the materials that is available to their city or country.

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 METHODOLOGY

A. RESEARCH LOCALE

The Cleanup Agent was conducted at the Laboratory of Don Pablo Lorenzo

Memorial High School located at Governor Ramos Avenue, Sta.Maria, Zamboanga City

and Esobido’s Residence at Sta.Maria, Brillantes, Zamboanga City.

B. RESEACRH DESIGN

This study used Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The independent variables

are the activated carbon and coco husk, while the dependent variables are the 3 treatments with 3

replicates and 2 samples each replicates, which are the 25 % coco husk - 75% carbon, 75% coco

husk – 25 % carbon, 50% coco husk – 50% carbon

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Preparation of coco husk and carbon

After collecting the coco husk, the researchers dry the coconut husk under the heat of

the sun for about 4-5 days. While the coconut husk is being dried, prepare the charcoal by

pounding it until it becomes powder.

Cutting of coco husk into short pieces

After drying the coconut husk under the heat of the sun, the researcher cut the coco

husk into short pieces, about 3cm. The coconut husk should look like dry hairs, so we can move

on to the next step.

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Preparation of the pad

Cut the fabric with your desired size. After cutting, sew the 3 sides together using

needle and thread and leave 1 side unsown.

Putting the coco husk and activated carbon in the pad

When the coco husk is already dry, put the coco husk and activated carbon together

in the pad with the right quantity per pad. For the first treatment, put together 75% carbon and 25

% coco husk and for the second treatment put 25% carbon and 75% coco husk, for the third

treatment put 50 % of carbon and 50% coco husk. The researchers used 3 replicates per

treatments and 2 samples per treatment.

Testing and observing the treatments

Test the best quantity of coco husk and activated carbon, the researchers used sea

water from the Boulevard of Zamboanga City and cooking oil, observe if which of the

treatments have the best retention time and oil sorption capacity.

Waste disposal

Dispose all waste material properly.

Data Analysis

After disposing the waste and testing the treatments, the researchers analyze the data

to form the results and discussion.

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 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Replicate 1 Replicate 1 Replicate 2 Replicate 2 Replicate 3 Replicate 3

Treatments Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 1 Sample2

( mL ) ( mL ) ( mL ) ( mL ) ( mL ) ( mL )
1 30 30 40 30 40 30
2 50 40 40 40 50 60
3 60 60 60 90 90 80

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Treatment 1 Treatment 2 Treatment 3

Figure 1: Oil sorption capacity of the oil spill cleanup agent for all the treatments.

The oil sorption capacity for the first treatment which was 75% carbon and 25% coco

husk. For the rep1 sample 1&2 the pad absorbed 30 ml of oil, while on the rep 2 sample 1&2 it

absorbed 40 ml and 30 ml and same goes for the rep.3. The oil sorption capacity for the second

treatment which was 25% carbon and 75% coco husk. There are pads that have 40 ml of

absorbed oil which are the rep.1sample 2 rep.2 sample 1 and rep 2 sample 2. While there are 2

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pads that measured 50 ml, the rep 1 sample 1 and the rep 3 sample 1. The rep 3 ample 2 got the

most absorbed oil in this treatment which is 60 ml. The oil sorption capacity for the third

treatment which was 50% carbon 50% coco husk. In this treatment all the pads showed the most

effective quantity amongst the other treatment, there are 3 that have 60 ml of oil absorbed, the

rep 1 sample 1&2 and the rep 2 sample 1. 2 shows the greatest amount of oil absorebed which is

90 ml, the rep2 sample 1 and rep 3sample 1. The rep 3 sample 2 got 80 ml of oil.

The best quantity for the sorbent pad is the 50% carbon and 50% coco husk, the oil

sorption capacity of the third treatment is much greater than the other 2 treatments, the pad that

poorly absorbed oil among the 3 treatment is the first treatment.

CONCLUSION

The researchers made use of the different quantity of carbon and coco husk in

determining the best quantity to decrease oil spill in our environment. The researchers based the

most effective among the 3 treatments by the oil sorption capacity and the retention time which

is 15 mins.

The researchers conclude that the 3rd treatment is more effective than the 1st and 2nd

treatment. The equal amount of coco husk and carbon worked well together and absorbed the oil

in 15 mins better than the other treatments. The 2 nd treatment shows better results than the 1 st

treatments but the 3rd treatment show tha best amongst the 3 total treatments.

RECOMMENDATION

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 The researchers would like to recommend testing the pad to the Department of

Science and Technology (DOST) and they also recommend using vehicles fuel to be more

realistic and lastly they recommend using bigger size of pad for greater oil sorption capacity.

REFERENCE LISTS

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1. ABS-CBN News (2017, October 14). Retrieved from https://news.abs-

cbn.com/news/10/14/17/oil-spill-spotted-in-zamboanga-city

2. Arias, de la Cruz, Guillergan & Presaldo (2006).”Responding to an Oil Spill Disaster:

Data Management Support for the rehabilitation of the Guimaras Island, Philippines.”

International Society for Environmental Information sciences. Archived from the original

PDF on 2014 August 12. Retrieved 2013 May 24.

3. Chang, Stone, Demes & Piscitelli ( 2014 ). Consequences of Oil Spills on JSTOR.

Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/26269587?seg1#metadate_info_tab_contents

4. Fouladi Fard, Reza; Azimi, A.A; Nabi Bihendi, G.R. (April 2011) “Batch kinetics and

isotherms for biosorption of candium onto biosolids”. Desaltation of Water Treatment.28

(1-3): 69-74. doi:10.5004/dwt.2011.2003. Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosorption

5. Freeman, J.J. (1989, December). “Studies of activated charcoal cloth. V. Modification of

pore structure by impregnation with certain transition metal salts and oxo-complexes”

DOI:10.1016/00086223(89)90160-7. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222967235_Studies_of_activated_charcoal_clot

h_V_Modification_of_pore_structure_by_impregnation_with_certain_transition_metal_sa

lts_and_oxo-complexes

19
6. “Governor says no to oil sludge disposal in Guimaras” (2006 August 23). Archived from

the original PDF on 2007 July 17.

7. Idris,J.( 2014, February 11 ).The Scientific World Journal: A Preliminary Study of

Biodegradable Waste as sorbent material for Oil spill Cleanup. Article ID: 638687.

Retrieved fromhttps://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2014/638687/

8. Jonathan S.G (2011, june 30)“Optimization of growth conditions for mycelial yield and

exopolysaccharride production by Pleurotus ostreatus cultivated in Nigeria”

http://www.academicjournals.org/app/webroot/article/article1380122337_Adebayo-

Tayo et al.pdf

9. Kamel.S., Sakhawy. M. ( 2011,July 16 ). Usin of Agriculture Rsidue in Removing Oil

Spill. Retrieved from www.academia.edu/7463094/using_of

_agriculture_residue_in_removing_of_oil_spill

10. Lindal, k. (2017, December 19) Living near Clean waterways provides health and

wellness benefits. Retrieved from https://in land ocean codlition.org/

2017/12/19/living-near-clean-water waste-provides-health-and-weight-benefits

11. Mahuya, D. & Debabrata, C. (November, 2008) “ Thermogravimetric analysis and

weathering study by water immersion of alkali-treated bamboo strips”. Retrieved from

https://studylib.net/doc/18673940/thermogravimetric-analysis-and-weathering

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12. Palmer ( 2017 ). Study Analyzes Trends an Gaps in Oil Spill Literature Since 1968. Retrieved

from https://utmsi.vtexas.edu/blog/entry/oil-spill-trends-and-gaps

13. The Manila Times (2006, September 15).”Inquiry list 3 factory behind solar 1 sinking”

14. Toms, S. (2006, August 15)”Oil spill threatens Philippines”. BBC News. Retrieved 2013,

July 15.

15. Velosky, & Bohumil. (1990). “Biosorption of heavy metals.” Florida. Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosorption

16. Silvani,L. ( 2017, March 8 ). Scientific Reports: Characterizing Bio char as Alternative

sorbent for oil spill Remediation. Doi:10.1038/screp43912. Retrieved from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5341071/

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 APPENDICES

Preparation of the Coco husk Drying of the Coco husk

Cutting of the husk into short pieces Cutting the fabric to the right size

Sewing the 3 sides of the pad,

Putting the right quantity of the husk
leaving one side unsown
and carbon into the pad

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 Collected sea water Placing the pad in the water

Putting the absorbed oil on a container

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 FLOW CHART

PREPARATION OF COCO HUSK AND CARBON

CUTTING OF COCO HUSK INTO SHORT PIECES

PREPARATION OF THE PAD

PUTTING THE COCO HUSK AND CARBON IN THE PAD

TESTING AND OBSERVING THE TREATMENTS

WASTE DISPOSAL

DATA ANALYSIS

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SORBENT PAD WITH CARBON AND COCO HUSK ( Cocos nucifera ) AS
AN OIL SPILL CLEAN UP AGENT

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS IN RESEARCH III

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

TEAM CATEGORY

Student Researchers:

Ashley Anne Fernandez

Froyzhel Amor M. Escobido

Cristine Anne F. Yosores

Research Adviser:

Ms. Rizza Earl Veverly T. Angeles

2018-2019

(ITO ANG FRONT PAGE PANG SOFT BIND,,,,,,REMINDER…BEFORE BINDING

CHECK THE PAGE NUMBER ORDER)

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