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ABSTRACT This experimental study was carried out to determine the growth, survival and adaptability of Pistia stratiotes in oil polluted environment. The parameters measured include leaf diameter, stem girth, root length, chlorophyll content index and biomass production. The experimental treatment concentrations used were 0% (control), 1%, 2 %, 3 % and 4 % (v/v) of kerosene, gasoline and diesel respectively. Using three replicates per treatment, the plants were exposed to all concentrations for fifteen days. The result showed that leaf diameter, stem girth, root length and chlorophyll content index were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in P. stratiotes when exposed to all concentrations of the petroleum products for fifteen days when compared with samples grown without treatment (0 %). The effects were concentration dependent. The result also showed that P. stratiotes is highly sensitive to refined petroleum products in the order diesel > kerosene > gasoline. The leaves of the test plant also showed changes in morphology and physiology at the end of the experiment. The study has shown that P. stratiotes can be employed as tool for bio-monitoring and bio-indicator of oil polluted fresh water habitat even at low concentrations.
