Wed December 26, 2012 Scientists Seek To Develop Less Toxic
Dispersant Scientists at LSU, Columbia and Iowa State University
have teamed up to develop a more environmentally-friendly oil
dispersant. The project is rooted in BP’s response to the 2010
Gulf of Mexico oil spill and addresses surfactants, which are
chemicals with properties that help oil and water mix. LSU
AgCenter toxicologist Chris Green said some of the surfactants
in Coreexit, the dispersant used to clean up the 2010 BP oil
spill, are synthetically produced. He likens them to surfactants
found in boat de-greaser and other toxic, synthetic products.
Green said the team aims to develop a more biologically-oriented
surfactant. “From naturally occurring bacteria and microbes in,
you know, distiller grains or corn, corn byproducts and even
sugar cane by-gas," said Green. At this early stage, Green said
he and LSU AgCenter wetlands biologist Andy Nyman are charged
with testing the more natural surfactant’s effects on living
organisms. He said the sc