NUS study: Sand with more oxygen helps microbes break down oil faster

A new study by the National University of Singapore found that microbes in well-drained, oxygen-rich beach sand degrade oil much faster than in waterlogged sand. The research, prompted by the 2024 oil spill, showed a 40% degradation rate in oxygen-rich conditions versus 5% in oxygen-poor conditions. The findings could help improve oil spill clean-up strategies.