Phytoremediation of Crude Oil Polluted Soil Using Dried Yam Peels (Discorea sp) as a Case Study in Niger Delta Environment of Southern Nigeria

Abstract

This study aimed at enhancing the remediation of crude oil polluted soil using yam peels. 2kg of the soil samples were polluted crude oil at different concentrations ranging from 5%, 10% and 15%. There were three amended and un-amended samples each labeled A-F. The amended samples were A, C and E which contained the following respectively, 5% polluted soil + 150g yam peels, 10% polluted soil + 150g of yam peels and 15% polluted soil + 150g yam peels. The un-amended samples were B, D and F which were called the control samples with 5%, 10% and 15% concentration of crude pollutant. Parameters such as soil moisture content, total organic carbon, pH and total hydrocarbon content were analyzed before and after remediation. The result showed that yam peels enhanced remediation of the soil especially in treatment A. The reduction in Total Hydrocarbon Content was highest in the 5% crude oil polluted soil sample resulting 57.4% and least at 15% polluted control sample resulting 44.2%. The higher the concentration of crude oil in the soil the lower the percentage degraded. Yam peels which are agro waste can enhance biodegradation of crude oil in polluted soil and therefore can act as remediating agent.