OleoCatch: Recycled Fibers for Aquatic Hydrocarbon Capture

Oil pollution in aquatic ecosystems poses a threat to biodiversity, water quality, and economic
activities associated with these environments. This project developed a sustainable alternative for  removing surface oil using human hair and palm fiber, two low-cost and widely available organic waste  materials. The methodology involved evaluating different proportions of both materials to determine  their hydrocarbon adsorption capacity and selecting the most efficient combination for prototype design. The results showed that the mixture of human hair and palm fiber achieved 85% oil adsorption  with low water retention, confirming its potential as an adsorbent. In addition to contributing to the  reduction of pollution in aquatic ecosystems, the proposal promotes the circular economy by  repurposing materials considered waste and offers scalability potential for application in ports,  vessels, coastal areas, and other bodies of water affected by hydrocarbons. Due to its innovative,  accessible, and sustainable nature, this alternative can contribute to environmental protection and the  development of replicable solutions in different regions of the world.