Seedling Growth of Agronomic Crops in Crude Oil Contaminated Soil

Abstract

Phytoremediation of hydrocarbon‐contaminated soil shows promise as a low‐cost alternative to most remediation methods. This study evaluated seedling growth of six crop species in crude oil contaminated soils. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse. Weathered crude oil was added to an Ipava silt loam soil at the rate of 0 (control), 10, 50 and 100 g of crude oil kg−1 of soil, which was then placed into pots. Irrigation was used to maintain soil moisture at approximately field capacity. Five seeds of Zea mays, Meticago sativa, Lolium perenne, Triticum aestivum, Glycine max or Vicia villosa were sown per pot. The experimental design was completely randomized with five replications per treatment. Germination and seedling height data were recorded on day 7, 14, 21 and 28. Plants were harvested on day 28, separated into shoots and roots and dried to measure biomass. Analysis of variance was used to determine treatment significance. Significant treatment mean values were separated using Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference Test. Based upon percent emergence and plant biomass production in contaminated soil, Z. mays and G. max seedlings show the greatest potential to enhance remediation.

The effect of drilling fluids and crude oil on some chemical characteristics of soil and crops

“…Another reason for poorer emergence is the fact that TPH contaminated soil becomes more compact and less moist, and has a higher content of toxic substances. Ferrell et al (1984), Issoufi et al (2006), Shahriari et al (2007), Adedokun and Ataga (2007) also report that oil pollution inhibits seed germination and plant growth. If the number of plants determined in the control treatment (100%) is taken as optimal, it can be seen that plant density at the wheat harvest in treatment II was 74% (that) of the control, in treatment III -98%, in treatment IV -60%, in treatment V -88%, while the plant density in treatment VI was only 50% (that) of the control (Table 8).…”

A Review on Phytoremediation of Crude Oil Spills

“…Results indicated a high tolerance of sorghum, okra, millet, and corn to oil phytotoxicity compared to others (Pardue et al 2015). Two crop species, corn (Z. mays) and soybean (G. max), have also demonstrated tolerance to crude oil-contaminated soils (Issoufi et al 2006).…”

Phytoremediation

“…Roots not only transfer oxygen from above ground into the root zone but also oxygen may diffuse through old root channels, close by existing roots, leading to more extensive diffusion of oxygen in to the soils (Issoufi et al 2006 ).…”