Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in crude oil-contaminated soil using composted market waste

Abstract

Release of crude oil and its products into the environment has resulted in many problems that are of global concern. The objective of this study was to determine effect of Composted Market Waste (CMW) on the degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in crude oil-contaminated soil. Pot experiment was carried out with 1 kg of soil in 7 litres perforated container contaminated with 10 % w/ w crude oil, followed by amendment with CMW at 0, 350 and 450 g. The soil was analysed for PAH after 21 days using GC-FID. Acenaphthylene, Acenaphthene, Phenanthrene, Benzo (g,h,i) perylene, Indeno (1,2,3-cd) perylene, Pyrene and Benzo (b) fluoranthene were present in the crude oil-contaminated soil. Concentrations of PAHs at the end of the experiment were 188.40, 38.45 and 32.73 ppm in control, 350 and 450 g respectively. Composted market waste enhanced degradation of PAHs in crude oil- contaminated soil.

Keywords: PAH, Degradation, Crude oil, Compost