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Lanka student finds green way to tackle oil spills

21 May 2015 04:51 am - 7     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A 24-year-old Sri Lankan post-graduate student in Chemistry at the University of Maryland USA, has discovered an agent which will clear oil spills in the sea without damaging the aquatic environment.

The student, Jasmin Athas, working under the supervision of Professor Srinivasa Raghavan, an alumnus of IIT Madras, found that a mixture of two food-grade molecules, Lecithin and Tween 80, is an effective emulsifier and is able to disperse crude oil in sea water. In a paper published in July 2014 in Langmuir, the journal of the American Chemical Society, Athas reports that Lecithin and Tween 80, blended in a 60:40 ratio to create smaller droplets of oil than current dispersants like Corexit 9500A. The L and T combine allows for more efficient dispersion, Athas claims.

Furthermore, Lecithin and Tween 80 are environmentally safe and edible. Lecithin is found in soya beans and is used in making chocolates, and Tween 80 is used to emulsify ice cream. Jasmin was drawn into oil spill research after it was found that the chemicals used in tackling oil spills, like Corexit 9500A, were themselves highly toxic. Raghavan, Athas and Professor Vijay John joined the project. (New Indian Express)

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  Comments - 7

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Lima Thursday, 21 May 2015 10:43 AM

    GOD BLESS THIS YOUNG UPCOMING SCIENTIST , AN ASSET TO SRI LANKA

    karigalan Thursday, 21 May 2015 11:24 AM

    Very good we are proud of you

    Zscore Thursday, 21 May 2015 11:25 AM

    Great news. Really proud of her, not only as a Sri Lankan but also in terms of benefit to the environment.

    Coconut Republic Thursday, 21 May 2015 11:28 AM

    Well done Jasmine! Keep it up

    Sri Lankan Thursday, 21 May 2015 12:04 PM

    proud of you u as a Sri Lankan. Wish u good luck!

    K.G Friday, 22 May 2015 03:47 PM

    Congratulations and best of luck for the future. However most of it sounded Greek to me.

    AzaRikz Friday, 22 May 2015 06:36 PM

    I thought I was alone :D


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