Gas and water

[srjones]

Hi everyone,

I'm not sure how far in the national news to went, but there was a pretty bad flood in Northwest Oregon, Southwest Washington over the last few days.

story: http://www.kptv.com/news/14776271/detail.html

video: kptv.com - Video

The town up the road was at the center of the story, and this brings to my question about Oils, Fuel, and Lubrication.

Right before the flood hit, the local gas station had just been filled up with gasoline. As the waters were receding, there was a strong smell of gas (and raw sewage) everywhere. If water is heavier than gas, that would explain why all the gas was displace from the underground tanks.

However, once it's 'floating' on the water, would it be more likely to be swept downriver *or* would the gasoline tend to find it's way into the ground/plant trees, etc along the way? Or both?

Thanks for considering this strange question.

-Steve

PS: I live on higher ground and was not adversely affected.

 

[RalphVa]

All petroleum products except for asphalt are lighter than water.

Most of the gasoline will probably evaporate in being spread over a wide area by the water. Some will be absorbed into floating debris where biologic action will likely break it down.

Ralph

 

[VT365]

srjones, Do you have any photos you can post?

 

[DieselPower]

I'm sure a good bit of it evaporates but then a good bit also get's into the soil, especially diesel, kerosene and HHO which do not evaporate as fast as gas.

 

[srjones]

srjones, Do you have any photos you can post?

When we get back to normal internet, I'll post some photos. Thanks. -srj

 

[AlanB]

It will be everywhere, but usually not in very strong concentrations.

A "spill" or "release" such as these are nigh near impossible to fully clean up, mostly mother nature breaks down long carbon chains to shorter ones, and that is about the best that happens.

At some points, you just try and work the "trouble spots" as they arise.

 

[srjones]

When we get back to normal internet, I'll post some photos. Thanks. -srj

Sorry I never posted photos and I've back on the internet for some time. For those interested, you can see good coverage of the flood on the next episode of Axmen on the History Channel sunday night. The 'mini-mart' is the Shell station that was flooded and lost all its gasoline.