Russian scientists have been working on new methods for lake cleanup. In Russia, it is especially important that the technology be suitable for extreme cold. In addition, many contaminated lakes are in remote places so the technology must also be portable. For these conditions, Tomsk State University's new under-ice cleanup technology is ideal.
Dr. Danil Vorobiev explains, "In cold weather, we move the perforated hose down to the bottom in order to direct the pressurized stream of air to accumulations of oil. As a result, oil rises to the surface and goes via the guide channels laid on the surface to an oil collector. A mobile hangar is installed above the oil collector where heat guns create a favourable temperature for pumping oil."
Scientists developed this method for lakes with stony, clay, or sandy bottoms. It cleans the sediment and the water, and can be employed for lakes of any depth, even at -50C/-58F. This technology has been patented by the Tomsk State University Institute of Biology.
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Originally published by Science Daily.
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