Optimising crude oil biodegradation in a sandy loam soil using a mixture of cow dung and poultry manure

Abstract

The impacts of addition of cow dung and poultry manure alone and in combination with surfactants and/or alternate carbon substrates on crude oil biodegradation in a sandy loam soil were investigated. At a 1.0% (w/w) concentration of the mixture of cow dung and poultry manure, addition of the alternate carbon substrates alone reduced the extent of crude oil degradation relative to an un-amended control, while addition of the surfactants alone lowered oil degradation than was obtained when added together with the alternate carbon substrates. Optimal crude oil degradations were obtained at a 4.0% (w/w) concentration of the mixture of cow dung and poultry manure added alone or at 2.0% (w/w) of the mixture in combination with Corexit (0.1% v/w) + glucose (1.0% w/w). The highest crude oil degradation of 11.58 ±1.64% relative to an un-amended control was obtained after sixteen weeks incubation from sample treated with only the mixture of cow dung and poultry manure at 4.0% (w/w).

Keywords: crude oil degradation, cow dung, poultry manure, surfactants, alternate carbon substrates

International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 5 2004: 69-76