Plant species responses to oil degradation and toxicity reduction in soil

Abstract

A field project located at the Botanical garden of the University of Port Harcourt was designed to evaluate changes in contaminants concentration and toxicity during phytoremediation. Vegetated plots were established by planting different plant species – legumes and vegetable (Abelmoschus,
esculentus, Telfaria occidentalis and Vigna unguiculata) and applied with sawdust and chromolaena leaves at different intensities of oil pollution. Toxicity of the soil was evaluated using germination percentage, flowering, fruit set and weight. The reduction of toxicity was more with legume than
vegetables. However, total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration was lower by the end of the study in all the soils planted with the crops.