Laboratory-Scale Bioremediation of Crude Oil Polluted Soil Using a Consortia of Rhizobacteria Obtained from Plants in Gokana-Ogoni, Rivers State

Abstract

Background: The use of consortia of rhizobacterial flora in bioaugmentation of autochthonous flora cannot be over-emphasized. Aim: This study sought to assess the potentials of rhizobacterial obtained from pre-exposed plants to crude oil pollution at Bodo creeks, Gokana-Ogoni, Nigeria. Methods: In this 4-weeks study, polluted soil was spiked using a soil auger while three different plants were randomly obtained from the study area and aseptically transported to the environmental microbiology laboratory, University of Port Harcourt. Baseline physicochemical and microbiological evaluation was performed on the soil samples. Biochemical and morphological features were employed in the characterization of the isolates. Bioremediation monitoring was performed on spiked soil of total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration of 17,000 mg/kg within 14 days of the study. Percentage degradation of the crude oil was evaluated. Results: The three plants, Schoenoplectus senegalensis, Fuirena umbellata and Cyperus tuberosus from whose rhizobacteria were randomly obtained at different points at a depth of 10-15

Catechol-2,3-Dioxygenase and Crude Oil Biodegradation Screening of Rhizo-Bacterial Endophytes from Bodo-Gokana, Rivers State

“…Pre-sterilized Whatman filter paper was impregnated with Bonny light crude oil (BLCO) and placed in the lid of the petri dishes. The plates were incubated at 37°C for 48 hours with the lid in an inverted position [23].…”