Phytoremediation of Some Tropical Soils Contaminated with Petroleum Crude Oil Using Selected Indigenous Plant Species in South South Nigeria
Abstract
Crude oil contamination remains a major environmental challenge in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, causing severe degradation of soil quality and vegetation. This study evaluated the phytoremediation potential of selected indigenous plant species for the remediation of petroleum crude oil-contaminated tropical soils from Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers States. Six indigenous plant species comprising three grasses (Paspalum vaginatum, Panicum maximum, and Cynodon dactylon) and three legumes (Centrosema pubescens, Pueraria phaseoloides, and Schrankia leptocarpa) were screened under greenhouse conditions using crude oil contamination levels of 0, 1, 2, 3, 8, and 10%. Germination, growth performance, biomass production, total organic carbon, and total hydrocarbon degradation were evaluated. Results showed that Paspalum vaginatum exhibited the highest germination (83%) on Alajo soil, while Cynodon dactylon recorded the highest sprouting (79%) on Toje soil. Plant growth and biomass declined significantly with increasing crude oil concentration, although both grass species survived up to 3% contamination. THC concentrations decreased substantially during the remediation period, with reductions from 51.113 to 22.826 mg/kg in Toje soil and from 48.886 to 21.227 mg/kg in Alajo soil after seven weeks. Cynodon dactylon and Paspalum vaginatum demonstrated the highest hydrocarbon enrichment and degradation capacities, indicating superior phytoremediation efficiency. The study concludes that these indigenous grasses possess considerable potential for the restoration of crude oil-contaminated tropical soils in the Niger Delta through cost-effective and environmentally sustainable phytoremediation.
Keywords
PhytoremediationSoilsContaminatedPetroleumPlantSouth SouthNigeria
References
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