CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION Oil is the life blood of our modern industrial society. It fuels the machineries and lubricates the wheels of the world’s production (Tahir and Mustaque, 2005; Adebiyi and Adeyemi, 2010). It is one of the most important energy and raw material resource for synthetic polymers and chemicals worldwide (Annunciado et al., 2005). However, when this vital resource is out of control, it can destroy lives and devastate the environment and economy of a particular region (Aynechi, 2004; Tahir and Mustaque, 2005). An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment due to human activity, and is a form of pollution (Rusu, 2010; Adelana et al., 2011). The term often refers to marine oil spills, where oil is released into the ocean or coastal waters. The oil may be a variety of materials, including crude oil, refined petroleum products (such as gasoline or diesel fuel) or by-products, oily refuse or oil mixed with waste. Spills take months or even years to clean up (Adelana et al., 2011). Due to its destructive properties, once an area has been contaminated with oil, the whole character of the place is damaged and when it encounters something to cling to, whether it be a beach, a rock, the feathers of a duck or a bathers hair, it does not readily let go (Aynechi, 2004). Hence, pollution by petroleum oils affects sea life, economy, tourism and leisure activities because of the coating properties of these materials (Hussein et al., 2008). There are countless opportunities for oil to go out of control (Al Malek and Mohamed, 2005). Many are due to mechanical failure of the equipment, to deliberate act or due to human carelessness or mistakes (Anderson and LaBelle, 2000; Aynechi, 2004; Al Malek and Mohamed, 2005; Adelana et al., 2011). According to the United Nations Development

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