ABSTRACT
This study investigated the impact of crude oil pollution on the chlorophyll content of Cynodon
dactylon, commonly known as Bermuda grass, in a polluted field in Sapele. Crude oil
contamination is a major environmental hazard, with negative consequences for ecosystems,
particularly terrestrial plants. Chlorophyll, a vital pigment for photosynthesis, serves as an
essential indicator of plant health and physiological stress. The experiment compared the
chlorophyll content of Cynodon dactylon samples collected from a polluted field in Sapele to
those from an unpolluted control site. Spectrophotometric analysis was employed to quantify
chlorophyll concentrations in the plant samples. Preliminary results showed a significant
reduction in chlorophyll content in plants exposed to crude oil pollution compared to the
control group. These findings highlight the detrimental effect of pollution on plant physiology
and highlight the importance of understanding the impact of environmental stressors on
ecosystem health. Further research is needed to understand the underlying processes of
pollution-induced stress on plant metabolism and to investigate potential mitigation measures
for protecting terrestrial plants in polluted areas.
