APPLICATION OF BIOSTIMULANTS AND BIOPARTICULATES FOR THE BIOREMEDIATION OF CRUDE OIL CONTAMINATED SOIL

Authors: *Obahiagbon K.O, Azeke G.O

DOI Info: N/A

ABSTRACT

The bioremediation of crude oil contaminated soil using organic biostimulant (poultry droppings) and bioparticulate (sawdust) was investigated in this study. Soil samples were contaminated with crude oil in four different compartments. These were Cell A (soil + oil) which served as the control. Other cells were labelled as: Cell B (soil + oil + sawdust), Cell C (soil + oil + poultry Droppings) and Cell D (soil + oil + poultry droppings+ sawdust). Bioremediation indicating parameters of the polluted soil (pH, residual hydrocarbon content (RHC) and total microbial count (TMC)) were monitored in the course of bioremediation which lasted for a total of seven weeks. The results obtained showed that the pH of the control did not vary significantly throughout the treatment period. There was however a slight decrease in the pH of the sample amended with poultry droppings and sawdust thus creating a slightly acidic condition which enhanced biodegradation of the oil. There was a general increase in the total microbial count of the amended samples. The highest microbial count was observed in the cell amended with poultry droppings and sawdust showing that these amendments stimulated the growth of the indigenous microbes. The control sample showed a decrease in residual hydrocarbon content in the course of bioremediation although this was not very significant (47%). In comparison, the amended samples showed a significant reduction in RHC and the highest reduction (99.6%) was recorded for the sample amended with both poultry droppings and sawdust. The results obtained suggests that amendment of crude oil contaminated soil with poultry droppings and sawdust enhanced the bioremediation process.

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