Update on Oil Spill Near East Newark, NJ

The Coast Guard discovered an estimated 50 gallons of biodiesel that leaked from a spill reported yesterday near East Newark, N.J., along the Passaic River near North Arlington, N.J., at approximately 10 a.m., today.

During a follow-up inspection of the shore, Coast Guard pollution investigators noticed the soy based oil spill had leaked out along the shoreline.

The clear biodiesel spill reportedly stretches two miles in length and less than a millimeter thick.

Ken’s Marine, a commercial pollution recovery company, is currently on scene and has deployed two absorbent booms in the river to catch any product drifting down river.  Workers have also placed the absorbent pads along the shore and in the water by boat.

The oleophilic material in the absorbent pads and booms allows for the removal of the oil without removing any water.

“Even though in a case like this where the oil is reported to be 100% biodegradable, we treat it as serious as we do any oil spill,” said Chief Petty Officer Ian Woods, Chief of Marine Environmental Response at Coast Guard Sector New York.  “That being said, when there is an oil spill of any kind near the water and there is a slight chance of it leaking, we are always proactive until we can ensure nothing is entering the water and this case illustrates perfectly why we do that.”