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Abstract Detail



Ecology

Oyedeji, Ayodele Adelusi [1], Kayode, Joshua [2], Besenyei, Lynn [3], Fullen, Michael A. [3].

Phytoremediation: A plant-based solution for environmental problems of crude oil-contamination on soils .

The study investigates the early growth responses and vegetative establishment of selected indigenous leguminous tree species (LTS), in crude oil-contaminated soil as possible tools for phytoremediation. Replicated experiments were conducted within a greenhouse in Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Selected tree species: Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach.) W.F. Wright, Albizia odoratissima (L.F.) Benth. and Pelterophorum pterocarpum (DC.) K. Heyne, all members of the Fabaceae family, were planted in 4000 g pots filled with locally sourced loamy sand soil contaminated with different concentrations of crude oil (25, 50, 75 and 100 ml). A control experiment was also set up on non-contaminated soil. These treatments represented low, medium, high and very high contamination rates, respectively. Growth parameters - plant height, girth, number of leaves, root and shoot biomass were determined on specimens of each tree species at two week intervals for their first 16 weeks of growth. The results revealed that the early growth of these species were proportional to the concentrations of crude oil. P. pterocarpum was observed to tolerate and grow best out of these species in the contaminated soils. LTS affected soil physicochemical properties. Soil acidity decreased; soil organic matter, carbon content and exchangeable ions increased. N, P and K were altered in the LTS planted soil as compared to controls, but there were no significant (P>0.05) differences. There were increased microbial counts in the crude oil-contaminated soil planted with LTS as compared with non-LTS planted soils. Hydrocarbon removal was significantly higher (P <0.05, n = 3) in LTS planted soil than in non-planted soil. P. pterocarpum planted soils had most hydrocarbon removal and had significantly more growth in terms of plant height, girth and leaf production in the field. The results obtained tend to suggest the suitability of these species, particularly P. pterocarpum, for phyto-remediation protocols and re-vegetation of crude oil contaminated soils. However, on site field studies are recommended in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and other tropical countries.


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1 - Niger Delta University, Biological Sciences, P. M. B. 071, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, N/A, 084, Nigeria
2 - Ekiti State University, Plant Science Dept, PMB 5363, Iworoko Road, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
3 - University of Wolverhampton, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV1 1LY, UK

Keywords:
Fabaceae
crude oil
contamination
Phytoremediation
re-vegetation.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 15, Ecology Section - Functional Traits and Responses
Location: Sundance 5/Omni Hotel
Date: Monday, June 26th, 2017
Time: 5:15 PM
Number: 15007
Abstract ID:262
Candidate for Awards:None


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