When determining the type of dam to use to control a spill, responders need to consider the:

When determining the type of dam to use to control a spill, responders need to consider the:

• A. Specific gravity of the material
• B. Color of the material
• C. Odor of the material
• D. Temperature of the material

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how the material behaves in water, which is determined by its specific gravity. If the spill is lighter than water (specific gravity less than 1), it will float on the surface, so you would use surface barriers like floating dams or booms to contain it and keep it from spreading. If the spill is heavier than water (specific gravity greater than 1), it will tend to stay submerged or sink, so containment approaches must address the lower layer or the bottom, using barriers and methods designed for submerged or bottom containment. Other characteristics like color, odor, or temperature don’t tell you how the liquid will move in water, so they’re not used to decide which dam type to deploy.

The key idea is how the material behaves in water, which is determined by its specific gravity. If the spill is lighter than water (specific gravity less than 1), it will float on the surface, so you would use surface barriers like floating dams or booms to contain it and keep it from spreading. If the spill is heavier than water (specific gravity greater than 1), it will tend to stay submerged or sink, so containment approaches must address the lower layer or the bottom, using barriers and methods designed for submerged or bottom containment. Other characteristics like color, odor, or temperature don’t tell you how the liquid will move in water, so they’re not used to decide which dam type to deploy.