Liquid contaminant absorption device and methods of use

A device for absorbing oil from an aqueous surface, comprising:

• a unitary nonwoven fiber mat defining a central absorbent region and a perimeter buoyancy region extending continuously around the central absorbent region,
• wherein the central absorbent region comprises mammalian hair configured to absorb oil from the aqueous surface,
• wherein the perimeter buoyancy region comprises at least one buoyant fiber selected from kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, or combinations thereof,
• wherein the buoyant fiber is concentrated within the perimeter buoyancy region such that the perimeter buoyancy region has a lower bulk density than the central absorbent region, and
• wherein the perimeter buoyancy region provides flotation support that maintains the central absorbent region at an oil-water interface during oil absorption.

A method of preparing an oil-absorbing device, comprising:

• providing mammalian hair fibers and buoyant fibers selected from kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, or combinations thereof;
• arranging the fibers to form a fiber structure including an absorbent region and a buoyant region;
• and
• mechanically entangling the fibers to form a cohesive absorbent structure capable of floating on an aqueous surface and absorbing oil.

A method of removing oil from an aqueous surface, comprising:

• deploying onto the aqueous surface a device comprising mammalian hair and buoyant fibers selected from kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, or combinations thereof;
• floating the device on the aqueous surface;
• and
• contacting oil present on the aqueous surface with the mammalian hair to absorb at least a portion of the oil.