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Percentage Reduction of Iron in Crude Oil-Polluted Soil Remediated with Cocoa Pod Husk, Potato Peels and Fluted Pumpkin Husk

P O Odey, M O Wegwu, and F C Anacletus

Abstract

This study assessed the percentage reduction of iron (Fe) in crude oil-contaminated soil treated with cocoa pod husk (CPH), potato peels (PP) and fluted pumpkin husk (FPH). The contaminated soil was collected from Deyor Community in the Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Two kilograms (2 kg) of soil were placed into experimental buckets and treated with CPH, PP, FPH and their combinations at three different doses: 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg for 150 days. Results showed that all amendments, whether single or in combination significantly reduced Fe levels in the soil. A clear dose-dependent trend was observed, with the 1000 mg/kg treatment achieving the highest average reduction ranging from 54.50% to 58.73% by day 150, closely followed by the 500 mg/kg treatment which achieved a reduction of 55.35% to 58.49%. The most effective bioremediation however, was observed in the soil treated with CPH + PP + FPH combination which consistently outperformed individual treatments at all concentrations and reached a maximum Fe reduction of 58.73% at 1000 mg/kg on day 150. These findings suggest that using agro-waste amendments enhances microbial activity and metal chelation, resulting in significant decreases in iron contamination in crude oil-polluted soil. This study emphasises the potential of CPH, PP and FPH as low-cost, eco-friendly and sustainable options for remediating crude oil-contaminated soils, offering an effective alternative to conventional methods for communities in the Niger Delta and beyond.

Keywords

Percentage reductionsoiltreatmentsremediation and dose-dependent.

References

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