Heavy Metal Degradation in Crude Oil Ameliorated Soils

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue VI, June 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

Heavy Metal Degradation in Crude Oil Ameliorated Soils

Agbor R.B.¹, Antai S.P²

¹Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State-Nigeria
²Department of Microbiology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State-Nigeria

Abstract: – Heavy metal degradation in crude oil ameliorated soils was studied. Composite soil from three points were obtained and six kilogramme weighed into 150 plastic buckets and each spiked with 300ml of crude oil, allowed for 14 days and then treated with agro-wastes in single and combined forms. The treatment lasted for 90days, after which samples were collected and analysed for heavy metal presence. The result of the study revealed that there were significant reductions in the heavy metal content of the soil ameliorated with varying concentrations of the agro-wastes.The soils amended with high level of the agro-waste tend toenhance the reduction of the heavy metal content than the low concentrations of the agro-waste wastes. The reduction in heavy metal content could be attributed to the bio-active and enzymatic properties of the wastes. It was concluded that the combined amendments are more proficient in the enhancement process.

Keywords: Degradation, soils, heavy metals, agro-wastes

I. INTRODUCTION

The growth in the world’s economy through industrialization via oil processing companies is vital and a down-tool to the ecology. The economy of Nigeria is sustained by its giant strive in maintaining the oil sectors. Oily sludge generated during and after the refining process hasposed a lot of ecological damage to the flora and fauna present in the ecotype. The extinction of some important flora and fauna had been observed. The spills of hydrocarbons in an environment contribute a great mass of heavy metals which are beneficial at a considerable level (Low) and harmful at a high level. Heavy metals (trace metals) are a large group of trace elements which are of great industrial and biological importance. Heavy metals are found naturally in soils as natural components but anthropogenic activities have resultantly increased the quantity of heavy metals in the environment. Soil contamination by heavy metals is consequently the most critical environmental problems as it poses significant impacts to the human health as well as the ecosystems.

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