Abstract: Phytoremediation has been identified as an effective option for the clean-up of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil. The aim of this study is to assess the potential of Vigna unguiculata L. Walp (cowpea) in the remediation of used motor oil contaminated soil. The germination and growth of cowpea on soil contaminated with 5% (w/w) of used motor oil was monitored for 28 days. One of the treatments received 15% (w/w) poultry manure seven days after pollution. Result of the physicochemical analysis of the soil and used motor oil shows that both have acidic pH values (5.90 for soil and 5.96 for used motor oil). Microbial degradation of the used motor oil was monitored by measuring the Total heterotrophic bacterial count (THC), Hydrocarbon-utilizing bacterial count (HUB) and gravimetric loss of used motor oil (TPH) with time. The treatment options supplemented with poultry manure recorded higher THC and HUB counts (76.8 x 106cfu/g and 15.0 x 106cfu/g respectively). Result of the biodegradation studies shows a significant reduction of the concentration of the used motor oil with time. The highest reduction in TPH (83%) was observed in the contaminated soil with cowpea plant and poultry manure. It was also observed that the cowpea plant performed better in the presence of poultry manure, as reflected in the results of the agronomic studies carried out. This study has shown that cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) has great prospects as a tool for the clean- up of used oil contaminated soil.
Key words: Phytoremediation, petroleum hydrocarbon, biodegradation, cowpea, poultry manure
Chukwudi, K. & P, C (2018). Assessment of Phytoremediation Potential of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L Walp) on used Motor Oil Contaminated Soil. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/assessment-of-phytoremediation-potential-of-cowpea-vigna-unguiculata-l-walp-on-used-motor-oil-contaminated-soil
Chukwudi, Kingsley, and Chukwudi P "Assessment of Phytoremediation Potential of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L Walp) on used Motor Oil Contaminated Soil" Afribary. Afribary, 22 Nov. 2018, https://afribary.com/works/assessment-of-phytoremediation-potential-of-cowpea-vigna-unguiculata-l-walp-on-used-motor-oil-contaminated-soil. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Chukwudi, Kingsley, and Chukwudi P . "Assessment of Phytoremediation Potential of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L Walp) on used Motor Oil Contaminated Soil". Afribary, Afribary, 22 Nov. 2018. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/assessment-of-phytoremediation-potential-of-cowpea-vigna-unguiculata-l-walp-on-used-motor-oil-contaminated-soil >.
Chukwudi, Kingsley and P, Chukwudi . "Assessment of Phytoremediation Potential of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L Walp) on used Motor Oil Contaminated Soil" Afribary (2018). Accessed December 22, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/assessment-of-phytoremediation-potential-of-cowpea-vigna-unguiculata-l-walp-on-used-motor-oil-contaminated-soil