Abstract

The Bentonite clay, obtained from Ubakala, Umuahia, in Abia State was investigated as a sorbent for the potential treatment of oil spill in aquatic medium after its modificaion with Dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide (DODAB). The purified clay sample was subjected to hydrothermal ion exchange reaction to synthesize organoclays under mild reaction conditions. Changes in the microstructural, morphological and physicochemical properties of the modified clay samples were investigated and studied with the use of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX). The observations showed the presence of new organic compound groups which indicated that the surfactant was intercalated successfully. The organoclays were further tested in a simulated oil spill situation to assess their potential as oil sorbents and sorbed about 4.5% of the oil that was simulated in the laboratory in water. The results further showed that the synthesized organoclay can be used for the remediation of oil spillage. The organoclays present a cost effective and a suitably environmentally friendly alternative for the remediation of oil spill polluted lands in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Key words: Organoclay, Oil Spill, Remediation, Bentonite, Modification, Characterization