Potential of oil palm empty fruit bunch ash for remediation of crude oil polluted soil

Abstract

The potential of oil palm empty fruit bunch ash for remediation of crude oil polluted soil was investigated. Three levels (100 g, 200 g and 300 g) of ash treatments in 2 kg of soil were set up alongside a control (nil ash) after pollution with100 ml of crude oil. Composite soil samples were collected and analyzed at intervals of 30 days. Results showed that total hydrocarbon content was significantly reduced by 1.13 % in 100 g; 2.20 % in 200 g; 2.08 % in 300 g ash treatments respectively and 0.71 % in the control, nitrogen content increased slightly by 0.011 mg/kg, 0.009 mg/kg and 0.015 mg/kg in 100 g, 200 g and 300 g ash treatments respectively while total organic carbon increased by 7.72 % in 200 g ash treatment and phosphorus content by 0.05 mg/kg, 0.17 mg/kg and 0.34 mg/kg in the order of ash treatments. Soil pH increased in alkalinity, soil electrical conductivity and cation exchange capacity also increased with increase in ash treatment. Oil palm empty fruit bunch ash treatment of crude oil polluted soil reduced total hydrocarbon content, increased soil nitrogen and phosphorus contents. It was concluded that, oil palm fruit bunch ash can be used for restoration of crude oil polluted soil.

Key words: Soil; Crude Oil; Pollution; Oil Palm Bunch; Remediation