Abstract:
Oil enters the marine environment by a number of different routes as a result of both human activities
and natural processes. Tanker accidents account for about 12% of the total amount of oil entering the
oceans, which is estimated as 400,000 tonnes per year. Despite the introduction of many millions of
tonnes of oil into the world's oceans, there is little evidence of a build-up of oil residues in the sea.
Accidental oil spills are usually of greatest concern since these often give rise to conspicuous acute
pollution.
