Abstract
A study to investigate the effect of sawdust and detergent on hydrocarbon reduction and the growth of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in petroleum polluted soil was carried out. The study was conducted at the Centre for Ecological Studies, University of Port Harcourt. Bonny light crude (300 ml) was used to pollute 10 kg soil. Detergent (20 g), sawdust (200 g) and sawdust: detergent (200 g: 20 g) were used as the amendment materials alongside a control (pollution but un-remediated) arranged in a completely randomized design of 12 replications. After 30 days post-amendment, 3 seeds of okra (var: V35-45 days) were grown in each treatment pot for 6 weeks. Soil Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) and okra growth performance (shoot length, leaf number, root length, total fresh weight, dry weight, leaf area and leaf area ratio) were analyzed. Results showed significant (p=0.05) reductions in THC of 44.23%, 26.5%, 70.80% and 10.79%, in detergent (20 g), sawdust (200 g), sawdust (200 g) + detergent (20 g) and control, respectively. Improved growth performances of okra were observed in the amended soil as compared to the control. Okra growth performance was in the order of: 200 g sawdust + 20 g detergent combination > 200 g sawdust > 20 g detergent. This implies that these two materials are good bio-stimulation materials especially when used in combined form for THC reduction and growth of okra.Keywords: Abelmoschus esculentus L., contamination, crude oil, sawdust, total hydrocarbon content
Highlights
The continual changes occurring in the natural environment could be man-made or natural (Dacko and Dacko, 2009; Anyanwu et al 2014)
The least Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) reduction was observed in control
The use of sawdust in crude oil remediation has been reported by Akonye and Onwudiwe, (2004); Boodoosingh et al, (2007) and Tanee and Albert, (2011) while that of detergent has been reported by Millioli et al, (2009) and Jude and Tanee (2016a)
Summary
The continual changes occurring in the natural environment could be man-made or natural (Dacko and Dacko, 2009; Anyanwu et al 2014). Man exploits the resources of the environment for his personal benefits and as a result causes alterations in the natural balance of the ecosystem (Goodwin et al, 2008). Various activities of the oil industries (crude oil exploration, refining, transporting and marketing) in addition to artisanal refining and oil theft have resulted in many oil spills and other oil discharges into the environment. The effects of these activities have been reported to be disastrous to the ecosystems and become an issue to the living organisms of contaminated areas, firms or organizations participating in oil prospects and exploration
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