*3.3.3 Absorbent sock (absorbent snake)*

The sorption sock, called also sorption snake (**Figure 7**), is a combination of the containment function (the oil) booms and function of the oil contamination collecting function (sorbents).

**Figure 7.** *The absorption sock (absorption snake) [36].*

#### **Figure 8.**

*The use of the absorption socks on solid surface (left) and on the water surface (right) [37].*

The sorption snakes are intended for solving minor of oil spills—rivers and streams, lakes, ponds, etc., and also for use on solid surfaces (**Figure 8**). These are means intended for manual operations. Their primary function is to contain the oil spill so that the contamination does not spread to a larger area or to the shores similar to oil containment booms.

We can meet sorption socks in various designs—longer with a small diameter or on the contrary, a shorter larger diameter. The sorption snakes consist of two types of adsorbents. Adsorbent I forms the textile cover of the sorption sock, and adsorbent II represents the filling. Any loose sorbent can be used as a filler.

In our experiment, we tested the sorption capacity of the sorption sock according to the ASTM F 726 methodology. The cover was tested separately as adsorbent I and the filling as adsorbent II. Subsequently, the entire absorption snake was also tested. All materials were tested for the absorption of oil and water/oil mixtures. The results are shown in **Table 4**.

From the results, it seems at first sight that the sorption capacity of the absorbent sock as a whole is low on average. However, it is necessary to realize the primary role that the sorption sock fulfills—the containment of the oil spill. Oil recovery is an associated task.

It is also necessary to remember that neither the cover nor the filler is in contact with the contaminant in its entire volume. As can be seen in **Figure 9**, about half of the
