NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A University of New Orleans chemistry professor has a 3-year, $450,000 National Science Foundation grant to study how sunlight changes oil on top of water.
Matthew Tarr says many previous studies used ultraviolet radiation, while his will use simulated sunlight. He says he'll also study different kinds of oil and how dispersants affect oil exposed to sunlight. He says few studies have done that.
Tarr wants to help better predict the behavior of oil spilled in water.
A university news release says there's also an educational component.
Undergraduate students will work as part of the research team, getting important experience, and high-school students and teachers will participate in summer research.
