In-situ Burning:

Through controlled burning of the oil can effectively remove the oil slick. This method is called in-situ burning. In-situ burning can approximately remove around 100-gallons/day/square foot of surface area under excellent weather conditions. In this way, bird, marine mammals, turtles and sensitive coast areas are being spared from the effects of the spill. 

In-situ burning is only conducted when the winds are blowing away from or at a safe distance from the populated areas. The reason is that, during burning, tons of black smoke is being produced and this plume could travel miles from its source. The black smoke is mainly carbon dioxide and around 5-10 percent particulate with small amounts of carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide. These are seen as major air pollutants and hence must be adequately contained through downwind dispersion and dilution. 

However, there are some restrictions to in-situ burning. Only for sea levels of two to three feet or less, can in-situ burning be possible. Sea levels higher that that, in-situ burning would be discontinued. Another factor is the weather conditions. Only under, good weather conditions can this burning can be carried out.