PHYTOREMEDIATION OF CRUDE OIL CONTAMINATED SOIL: THE EFFECT OF GROWTH OF Glycine max ON THE PHYSICO-CHEMISTRY AND CRUDE OIL CONTENTS OF SOIL

The remediation of oil contaminated soils has been a major problem in oil producing countries and recently use of plants to clean such soils has been on investigation. In order to identify plants that can enhance the remediation of crude oil contaminated soil, the effect of the growth of G. max on the physico-chemistry and crude oil content of soil contaminated with different concentrations of crude oil was investigated in this study. The results revealed that the pH, moisture and organic matter contents of soils contaminated with crude oil were significantly affected by the growth of G. max at differently levels of significance (P<0.001, P<0.01 and P< 0.05). Crude oil loss was enhanced in soil with 25g crude oil in the presence of G. max. Although the growth of the G. max did not significantly affect the crude oil level in the 50g and 75g treatments, the soils became more favourable for plant growth as weeds sprouted from the contaminated soil vegetated with G. max. The implication of the findings of this study is that within 110 days, growth of G. max can lead to cleanup of crude oil contaminated soil and the reduction in toxicity of crude oil in soil. The ability of G. max to reduce the level of crude oil in oil polluted soil can help to restore polluted soils back for agricultural use. The high acceptability of G. max due to its high nutritional value, high adaptability and ease of propagation will make it an easy tool for remediation of soil contaminated with crude oil. [Nature and Science. 2009;7(10):79-87]. (ISSN: 1545-0740)