The most difficult beaches to clean are those comprised of gravel, pebbles, or small
boulders. Two reasons for this are: (1) the surface areas to which the oil can adhere are
much greater, and (2) extensive washing of these surface areas is required. This washing
action can carry away the sand and the underlying earth, destroying the beach. When set-
ting up an equation for such a beach, this characteristic should be kept in mind.
Beaches with larger boulders having a moderate slope toward the water are easiest to
clean. Next in ease of cleaning are sand and mud beaches because thick oil does not pen-
etrate deeply in most instances.
Use this equation as is; and check its results against actual cleanup times. Then alter
the equation to suit the actual conditions and personnel met in the cleanup.
The model and equation described here are the work of Commander Peter C. Olsen,
U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and Commander Wayne B. Hamilton, U.S. Coast Guard, as re-
ported in government publications.
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