Bioremediation of Crude Oil Contaminated Soil Enhanced with Water Hyacinth (Aquatic Macrophyte)

Abstract

The uncontrolled release of petroleum hydrocarbons negatively impacts many of our soi1 and water resources. Treatment using in-situ biological methods can prove to be efficient and cost effective for the cleanup ofthese pollutants. This study evaluates the potential of water hyacinth in crude oil contaminated soils at concentrations of 5000mg/kg and 10000mg/kg using 15% and 30% powdered water hyacinth respectively. The remediation process was monitored over six weeks by analyzing total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) degradation and pH variations. The results revealed a notable reduction in TPH concentrations, with the highest degradation occurring in soils treated with 30% water hyacinth at 10000mg/kg achieving a final concentration below the regulatory threshold of 5000 mg/kg set by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Additionally, the pH of the bio stimulated soils increased from acidic to neutral creating a favourable environment for microbial activity and accelerating crude oil breakdown. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant difference (p‹0.05) between treated and control samples, confirming the effectiveness of eater hyacinth in enhancing microbial remediation.The findings indicate that water hyacinth plays a crucial role in improving biodegradation efficiency through nutrient enrichment and pH buffering. This study underscores the potential of water hyacinth as a cost – effective, eco- friendly and sustainable bioremediation agent for mitigating crude oil contamination in impacted environments, offering valuable insights for environmental efforts.