MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Abstract: The following document proposes cattail fibers as an oil spill response alternative to current solutions such as dispersants or skimmers. The author depicts dispersants as more hazardous to marine life and can only be used as a temporary solution. With current energy needs and energy sources, oil spills are still possible in the future. The writer discusses the potential sustainability of cattail fiber use based off their natural adaptations, and compared to that of chemical dispersants. The writer then compares past natural sorbent research methods with ones that have been developed in the lab of her and her team. The document closes with a short fact sheet of pertinent information, addressing the differences between dispersants and sorbents and previous and developing sorbent research on cattail fibers.
WC = 162

Reader’s Profile: I would imagine the reader to be new to the idea of natural sorbents for oil spills and who is already accustomed to skimmers or dispersants as the “normal” clean up response.

Reader’s Response: That sounds really sustainable. If cattail fibers are naturally adapted its own environment, how will they work in the ocean? Maybe that’s what the document will address. How would that actually work, given that the fibers are free floating? It sounds too difficult to deal with in a large area such as the ocean, especially with collection. Dispersants are much easier to manage and coordinate in an oil spill response, but I suppose I’ll have to see what the author writes to make a better decision on where she and her team are at with the research.

**I emailed you a few times, but I never received a response from you so I wrote the abstract and the response to the best of my ability.

D, I will check my spam folder. What you have here is fine. I think you can address this reader with the idea that cattail fiber will likely be part of a suite or set of interventions: booms, dispersants, and this absorbing fiber.

Looks like a good plan. :)