il spills in the U.S. The containment and recovery equipment includes a variety of booms, barriers, and skimmers. There are also natural and synthetic sorbent materials. Mechanical containment is used to capture and store the spilled oil until is can properly be disposed of. The second response technique is chemical and biological methods. They can be used in conjunction with mechanical means for containing and cleaning up oil spills. Dispersents and gelling agents are most useful in helping to keep oil from reaching shorelines and other sensitive habitats. The third response technique is physical methods. They are used to clean up shorelines. Natural processes such as evaporations, oxidation, and biodegradation can begin the clean up process, but are usually too slow to help the environment recover properly. Physical methods, such as wiping with sorbent materials, pressure washing, and raking and bulldozing can be used to assist these natural processes. The fourth and final technique is scare tactics. They are used to protect birds and animals
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