Phytoremediation of Soil Contaminated with spent Engine Oil using Corchorus olitorus Linn
*1Kekere, O., Olarewaju, T. and 2Ogbemudia F. O.
1Department of Plant Science & Biotechnology, Adekunle Ajasin University,
Akungba Akoko, Ondo State Nigeria.2Department of Botany and Ecological Studies,
University of Uyo, P.M.B. 1017, Uyo Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author: kekereekunnoi@yahoo.com Phone: +2348067646215
Accepted on April 28, 2012
Abstract
Phytoremediation is an alternative low cost approach for in situ treatment of polluted soils. This study was carried out to evaluate growth performance, nutrient composition and heavy metal uptake of Corchorus olitorus Linn. in soil contaminated with spent engine oil (SEO), to assess phytoremediation potentials of the plant. Plants were subjected to 0 (control), 2, 4, 6 and 86% w/w of oil in a pot experiment laid out in a completely randomized block design replicated 7 times. Significant treatment effects were observed in plant height, number of leaves, total leaf area per plant and root growth. Lower dry weight of plant parts and total biomass were obtained in polluted seedlings relative to the control. There was decrease in nutrient composition and total chlorophyll content of oil-polluted C. olitorus, suggesting stress infliction on the plants. Survival was not affected by oil pollution except at 16 % w/w. Results show that C. olitorius is tolerant to spent engine oil and was able to take up heavy metal contaminants at high concentrations with little phytotoxic effect. It is therefore a good candidate for phytoremediation of oil-polluted sites.
Oil pollution resulted in higher concentration of heavy metals in plant tissues of polluted than non-polluted plants.