Question 132Safety & Environmental - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is B) disperse or dissolve the oil in the water. Chemical agents, such as dispersants, are used in oil spill response to break down and disperse the oil in the water column, rather than removing it entirely. This helps accelerate the natural breakdown and biodegradation of the oil by exposing more surface area to microorganisms and natural weathering processes. Dispersing the oil is preferable to allowing it to accumulate on the surface, which can have greater environmental impact. The other options are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the primary function of chemical agents in oil spill cleanup.