European Journal of Biological Research (Mar 2019)
Removal of hydrocarbons from crude oil contaminated agricultural soil by phytoremediation using Mariscus alternifolius and Fimbristylis ferruginea
Abstract
Crude oil extraction is one major route through which hydrocarbons are released into the environment and hydrocarbon contamination is highly hazardous to the ecosystem. This study investigated the removal of hydrocarbons from crude oil contaminated agricultural soils using Mariscus alternifolius Vahl. and Fimbristylis ferruginea plant species. Before planting, the polluted soil (negative control) had a total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration of 17962.11±1000.00 mg/kg and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentration of 440.97±1.00 mg/kg. Likewise, the soil oil and organic carbon contents were 3.25±0.10 ppm and 3.06±0.02% respectively. Results, 90 days after planting, indicated a significant decrease in the total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations of M. alternifolius (100.82±46.31 mg/kg) and F. ferruginea (110.41±39.68 mg/kg) treated soils. Likewise, there was a significant decrease in the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentration of M. alternifolius treated soil (95.69±65.44 mg/kg). The oil content of the treated soils significantly decreased to 1.03±0.28 ppm and 0.84±0.33 ppm in M. alternifolius and F. ferruginea treated soils respectively, while the organic content of the treated soils significantly decreased to 2.16±0.09% and 2.20±0.20% in M. alternifolius and F. ferruginea treated soils respectively. Phytoremediation using M. alternifolius and F. ferruginea has proven to be potent in the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil through enhancement and recovery of the polluted soil. These plant species which improved the cultivation and germination competence of the treated soils thus making the soil probable for agricultural and other related purposes are therefore recommended for used in the phytoremediation of crude oil contaminated soils. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2603912
