Rhizo-remediation of crude oil-contaminated agricultural soil using selected crop plants
Date
2017-07
Authors
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Publisher
Federal University of Technology, Owerri
Abstract
Rhizo-remediation of crude oil-contaminated agricultural soils using Zea mays,Mucuna pruriens and Telfairia occidentalis was carried out to evaluate their effectiveness in environmental clean up. Soil samples polluted with different volumes (25 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml, 200 ml, 400ml) of 100 % Bonny light crude oil were used. Four parameters, crude oil polluted soil (polluted before planting), crude oil polluted soil (polluted one month after planting), crude oil polluted soil stimulated with poultry droppings and unpolluted soil stimulated with poultry droppings were used. The growth rate measurements showed increased growths from 8.5 ± 0.2cm to 106.0 ± 0.1cm by the stimulated treatment. Pre-and post microbial examinations of the polluted soil were carried out and the indigenous microbial flora present in the soil were identified to be Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas sp, Staphylococcus sp, Bacillus sp, Acinetobacter sp, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus sp, Aspergillus sp and Penicillium sp though Escherichia coli was absent in the latter. Molecular identification to confirm the presence of bacterial and fungal isolates persistent in the treated soil showed visible bands indicating the possibility of degradation by the acclaimed organisms. The total hydrocarbon content (THC) of treated soil was undertaken and the result revealed decrease from 16.05mg/kg to 0.08mg/kg. Statistical analysis showed significant difference in the degradation of crude oil amongst the treatment samples at 95% confidence level. This study revealed that Telfairia occidentalis had faster degradation than Mucuna pruriens and Zea mays hence this plant can be used more in remediation of polluted sites.
Description
This thesis was submitted for the award of Master of Science (M.Sc) Degree in Biotechnology
Keywords
Pollution, rhizo-stimulation, telfairia occidentalis, petroleum hydrocarbon, soil microbes, Department of Biotechnology
Citation
Uchechi, A. U. (2017). Rhizo-remediation of crude oil-contaminated agricultural soil using selected crop plants [Unpublished Master's Thesis]. Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria