Absorbent booms and containment booms

There are two common types of booms used by spill control experts, containment booms and absorbent booms. Spill containment booms simply prevent a spilled substance further reaching an area where the spill has not yet affected and absorbent booms do the same, yet they also absorb the spilled substance so that it can be removed from the spill site.

Containment booms

Some types of containment booms include inflatable booms that can be positioned across a water course or larger area of water to stop a spill spreading. Because these booms are inflatable they can be stored really easily and connected together to form barriers of an unlimited length. The floating boom stops the oil or other spilled liquid, which is floating on the surface of the water, causing any more damage to an unaffected environment.

Absorbent booms

Absorbent booms actually repel water and soak up oil or other hazardous spilled substances. They are available in a number of different lengths and can be joined together in the same way as containment booms to form a long barrier. Absorbent booms can be purchased specifically for use on the land or in water. A great use for absorbent booms is in drain gulleys, when a spilled substance may have found its way into the general waste drainage system.