PHYTOREMEDIATION AND IN-VITRO NUTRITIVE VALUE ASSESSMENT OF CALOPOGONUIM MUCUNOIDES PLANTED ON PETROLEUM CONTAMINATED SOIL

SUMMARY

There is an increasing petroleum hydrocarbon pollution of the soil ecosystem during oil exploration, exploitation, storage and transportation. Ite et al (2013) In Nigeria, tremendous increase in production and utilization of petroleum has led to a steady increase in the level of soil pollution by petroleum oil, especially in the Niger Delta region. In addition to accidental discharge of petroleum oil, there exists the petroleum pollution of the soil ecosystem through the oil pipe vandalization and spillage; and these have their attendant effects on the living soil organisms and vegetation. Oviasuyiet al(2010)

Petroleum hydrocarbons are naturally occurring compounds that bind soil components thereby making the removal or degradation more difficult. Also, their movement into the sub-soil leads to the expulsion of air thereby depleting oxygen reserves in the soil and impeding its diffusion to the deeper layers. As the available soil oxygen diminishes, the soil microbial activities involved in the utilization of oxygen for biodegradation of the contaminants will reduce. This will have adverse effect on the quality of soil and thereby reduce the growth performance of plants.Adewole et al 2012