Comparative effects of biostimulation and phytoremediation on crude oil degradation and absorption by water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.] Solms)

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of inorganic fertilizer (urea) amendment on crude oil degradation and uptake by water hyacinth (Eichhornia crasssipes). Experimental units (fresh borehole water) were spiked with crude oil at four different concentrations and then were randomly assigned fertilizer (urea) at three different concentrations. Crude oil degradation and absorption were determined monthly by measuring total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in water column and water hyacinth, respectively. The water hyacinth planted in the control absorbed significantly (p < 0.05) higher TPH than the treatments amended at 6 mg/l and 10 mg/l urea. The rate of absorption of TPH by water hyacinth was highest in treatments amended at 10 mg/l urea except in the experimental unit spiked at 60 mg/l crude oil. The results of this study showed that water hyacinth absorbs petroleum hydrocarbon and thus can be used in phytoremediation of crude oil-polluted aquatic ecosystem.

Keywords:

• Petroleum
• Fertilizer amendment
• Urea
• Water hyacinth

Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to Dr Excellence Akeredolu, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria for his useful comments on the manuscript.