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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Oil is a very important product in our society. It is used in many ways that it
must be carried over long distances. But when people make mistakes in handling or
transporting oil especially in the ocean, it can cause oil spill, which can cause damages
and bad effects. It is important to act fast and clean up an oil spill and prevent them from
spreading in a bigger area. There are many methods in removing oil spills like using
skimmers, vacuums, chemicals and other biological agents.
Coconut trees are abundant in the Philippines and coconut fiber from coconut
husk or bunot are said to have high water holding capacity. On the other hand, hair's
ability to absorb oil has been used to sop up oil, including a 50,000-gallon fuel leak of the
Guimaras island. It is in this regard that the researchers have come up with an idea of
comparing coconut fiber and hair in absorbing oil.
In this study, the amount of crude oil that will be absorbed by coconut fiber and
hair will be compared. The results will also be contrasted to the absorption ability of
polypropylene pad, a commercial product used to absorb oil.
Statement of the Problem
Main Problem:

Identify the efficiency of coconut fiber and hair as an absorbent material for oil
spills.
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Sub-Problems:

What is the absorption ability of coconut fiber in (a) seawater, (b) crude oil, (c)
mixture of crude oil and seawater?

Is there a significant difference in the absorption ability of coconut fiber in (a)
seawater, (b) crude oil, (c) mixture of crude oil and seawater?

What is the absorption ability of hair in (a) seawater, (b) crude oil, (c) mixture of
crude oil and seawater?

Is there a significant difference in the absorption ability of hair in (a) seawater, (b)
crude oil, (c) mixture of crude oil and seawater?

Will the weight and size of coconut fiber and hair matter?
Objectives of the Study

To determine whether coconut fiber and hair can be used as an alternative oil spill
absorber..

To determine if there is a significant difference in the absorption ability of
coconut fiber and hair to polypropylene pad in absorbing oil.
Hypotheses

Ho: There is no significant difference in the absorption ability of coconut fiber to
(a) seawater, (b) crude oil, (c) mixture of crude oil and seawater.

Ho: There is no significant difference in the absorption ability of hair to
(a) seawater, (b) crude oil, (c) mixture of crude oil and seawater.
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Significance of the Study
This study provides people information about the utilization of coconut fiber and
hair in absorbing oil spills. It will also help students expand their awareness of preventing
oil spills through this study. Both coconut fiber and hair are environmental friendly and
affordable that can efficiently absorb liquid substances.
Scope and Delimitations of the Study
This study covers the following scopes: the capability of coconut fiber and hair to
absorb crude oil and the absorptive evaluation of coconut fiber and hair. Three set-ups
will be prepared to test the two absorbents in seawater, crude oil and seawater mixed with
crude oil. The two sorbent materials will then be compared to the absorption ability of
polypropylene pad. Polyproyplene pad will not be used in the experiment since it is not
available in the local market.Foreign objects and the usage of the materials after using it
in the experiment will not be covered.
Definition of terms
Absorption
It refers to the act or process of absorbing
or sucking in anything or of being
absorbed
Coconut Fiber
In this study ,it is a material that is found
the hard, internal shell and the outer
coat of a coconut
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Crude oil
It is a naturally occurring, flammable
liquid consisting of a complex mixture
of hydrocarbons of various molecular
weights and other organic compounds
that are found in geologic formations
beneath the earth’s surface
Efficiency
In this study, it refers to the effectiveness
and capability of coconut fiber and hair
to absorb oil
Hair
In this study, it is any of the cylindrical,
keratinized often pigmented filaments
characteristically growing from the
epidermis of a mammal and we will use
human hair
Oil spill
It refers to the accidental or intentional
release of petroleum products into the
sea as a result of human activity
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CHAPTER 2
Review of Related Literature
An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment
due to human activity, and is a form of water pollution. The term often refers to marine
oil spills, where oil is released into the ocean or coastal waters. The oil may be a variety
of materials, including crude oil, refined petroleum products (such as gasoline or diesel
fuel) or by-products, ships' bunkers, oily refuse or oil mixed in waste. Spills take months
or even years to clean up.
Oil spills have affected many people and many industries. They affect both the
economy and the environment. Oil, tar balls, dead fish and birds all get washed up on the
shores and the oil slick interferes in activities such as fishing, sailing, and swimming. The
local tourist industry suffers because tourists are not interested in coming to a coastal area
where they cannot do the activities. Industries that rely on clean seawater for routine
operations can also suffer because operations have to be stopped while the water is
cleaned. The fishing industry suffers badly when an oil spill occurs because fishes are
often covered in oil, or have swallowed oil making them poisonous.
An oil tanker, also known as a petroleum tanker, is a ship designed for the bulk
transport of oil. There are two basic types of oil tankers: the crude tanker and the product
tanker. Crude tankers move large quantities of unrefined crude oil from its point of
extraction to refineries. Product tankers, generally much smaller, are designed to move
petrochemicals from refineries to points near consuming markets.
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Figure 1. Oil tanker (sideview)
(Retrieved from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Oil_tanker_(side_view).PNG)
A number of advanced response techniques are available for controlling and
minimizing the affect of oil spills on human and environmental health. The key to safely
and effectively picking up spills is careful selection and proper use of the equipment and
material that are suited for the type of oil and conditions of the spill. There are about four
methods that you could choose from so that the oil is picked up in the best manor.
Mechanical containment or recovery is the primary line of defense against oil spills in
United States of America. Containment and recovery equipment includes booms,
barriers, and skimmers as well as natural and synthetic absorbent materials. Mechanical
containment is used to trap and store the spilled oil until it can be disposed of properly.
Chemical and biological methods can be used with mechanical means for containing and
cleaning up oil spills. Dispersants and gelling agents are useful in helping to keep oil
from reaching shorelines and other sensitive habitats. Physical methods are used to clean
up shorelines. Natural processes such as evaporation, oxidation, and biodegradation can
start the cleanup process, but are normally too slow to provide good environmental
recovery. Physical methods such as wiping with absorbent materials, pressure washing,
and raking and bulldozing can be used to help the natural processes. Scare tactics are
used to protect birds and animals by keeping them away from the spill area. Devices such
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as propane scare-cans, floating dummies, and helium-filled balloons are often used,
particularly to keep away birds.
Figure 2. Hair (Retrieved from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hair_follicle-en.svg)
Hair is a filamentous biomaterial that grows from follicles found in the dermis. The
human body, apart from its glabrous skin, is covered in follicles which produce thick
terminal and fine vellus hair. Hair is mainly composed of the protein keratin. Keratin
assembles into rope-like intermediate filaments. The structure of these filaments provides
strength to the hair shaft.Hair growth begins under the skin in a hair follicle. The only
"living" portion of the hair is found in the follicle. The hair that is visible is the hair shaft,
which exhibits no biochemical activity and is considered dead. Human hair consists of
three layers. The outside layer, known as the cuticle, is made of scales of the protein
keratin. Much like the shingle coverings of a roof, the keratin scales protect the inner
portions of the hair. The next layer also contains keratin, but is made of protein fibers
more tightly knit together. Finally, the inner core--known as the medulla--is composed of
round cells. The sebaceous glands produce oil on the scalp. Hormones control the amount
of oil a person secretes--which explains why some people may have oilier hair than
others. When oil is applied to the hair (or coated via the sebaceous glands), two things
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take place. The first is that the oil is able to seep into areas where the keratin scales may
have flaked off or do not fully cover the hair, leaving open areas exposed. Once again,
consider the hair strand as a roof. Over time, damage from heat styling, excessive
brushing, pollutants or other occurrences can strip the roof's shingles away. The result is
that oil is able to flow under the panels and be absorbed by the hair.
Figure 3. Coconut Fiber (Retrieved from: http://www.africantropicalheritage.com/coconut-fiber.gif)
Coir fibers are categorized in two ways. One distinction is based on whether they
are recovered from ripe or immature coconut husks. The husks of fully ripened coconuts
yield brown coir. Strong and highly resistant to abrasion, its method of processing also
protects it from the damaging ultraviolet component of sunlight. Dark brown in color, it
is used primarily in brushes, floor mats, and upholstery padding. On the other hand, white
coir comes from the husks of coconuts harvested shortly before they ripen. Actually light
brown or white in color, this fiber is softer and less strong than brown coir. It is usually
spun into yarn, which may be woven into mats or twisted into twine or rope. The other
method of categorization is based on fiber length. Both brown and white coir consist of
fibers ranging in length from 4-12 in (10-30 cm). Those that are at least 8 in (20 cm) long
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are called bristle fiber. Shorter fibers, which are also finer in texture, are called mattress
fiber. A 10-oz (300-g) coconut husk yields about 3 oz (80 g) of fiber, one-third of which
is bristle fiber. The only natural fiber resistant to salt water, coir is used to make nets for
shellfish harvesting and ropes for marine applications. Highly resistant to abrasion, coir
fibers are used to make durable floor mats and brushes. Strong and nearly impervious to
the weather, coir twine is the material hops growers in the United States prefer for tying
their vines to supports. Coir is becoming a popular choice for making geotextiles because
of its durability, eventual biodegradability, ability to hold water, and hairy texture (which
helps it cling to seeds and soil).
According to Tilak Silva’s study, “Method of oil cleanup using coconut coir
pith”, very significant advantage of coconut coir pith over conventional oil absorption
substances used to absorb oil in oil spill situations is that coconut coir pith is one hundred
percent biodegradable. Coconut coir pith floats upon water and remains afloat even when
saturated with oil. Coconut coir pith absorbs oil, coolants, solvents and other oily
materials that float on water. It is entirely nontoxic,light in weight and creates very little
dust even when thrown a considerable distance onto a surface from which oil is to be
absorbed. Furthermore, coconut coir pith has an additional advantage in that it retains its
consistency, even when spread on water and saturated with oil. That is, it will not turn to
“mush” even when wet and saturated with oil. This feature allows the oil-saturated
coconut coir pith to be scooped or raked from the surface of a body of water without
great difficulty. It can be used as landfill for it is a biodegradable material.
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CHAPTER III
Research Methodology
A. Research Design
In this study, three set-ups will be prepared to test and compare the
absorption ability of coconut coir and hair to seawater,crude oil and seawater mixed with
crude oil. There will be 5 repetitions for every set-up and mean will be used to get the
average amount of crude oil and seawater absorb by the two absorbents.
B. Experimental Procedure

Preparation of Materials

Preparation of Coconut Fiber

Preparation of Hair

Testing the Absorption Ability
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D. Statistical tool
The mean of an ungrouped data is given by the formula:
M =
x
N
where
M=mean
x=value of the sample
N=number of sample or repetitions

= sigma, which means, ‘summation of’
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E. Experimental Set-up