Abstracto

Biodegradation of crude oil in soil amended with groundnut shell

O.P.Abioye, U.J.J.Ijah

The use of groundnut shells in reclaiming crude oil spilled soil was studied. The groundnut shell was found to contain nitrogen (1.20%), phosphorus (18.50 ppm) and hydrocarbon degrading bacteria. The results of bioremediation studies revealed that the counts of crude oil degrading bacteria (CDB) in oil polluted soil amended with groundnut shells was about 100% higher than that of unamended polluted soil. The crude oil degrading microorganisms identified were species of Micrococcus, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Fusarium. The rate of crude oil loss (biodegradation) in soil was higher in oil polluted soil amended with groundnut shell (60.90%) than that of unamended soil (44.20%). The rate of biodegradation of crude oil in the amended soil was significantly different (P >0.05) than the unamended soil. The results of this study indicate that groundnut shell can be useful in reclaiming oil polluted soil.