Preventing Spills The U.S. oil and natural gas industry supplies more than 65 percent of America's energy. ... The viscosity of the oil affects how fast it disperses. ... Only a few components in oil are soluble in water, so dissolution involves only a small fraction of oil. ... This water-in-oil emulsion may be 50-80 percent water and thus increases the volume of the oil spilled. ... When bacteria consume oil, they convert it into more soluble, oxidized products and eventually to carbon dioxide and water. ...

• Word Count: 1417
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School