Effects of Different Levels of Plantain Peel Waste on The Amelioration of Crude Oil Polluted Soil

Abstract

The effect on different levels of plantain peel waste in the amelioration of crude oil polluted site was investigated. This experimental research was set up at the Department of Forestry and Environment Ecological Centre Rivers State University. Two kilogram (2kg) of soil were introduced into each of 5 experimental planting bags (EPB) of 5 replications with the following treatment options displayed as experimental planting bag 1, 2 and 3 (EPB1, 2, 3) had spent diesel soil plus 120g, 140g and 160g of plantain peel waste respectively, while EPB 4 had spent diesel soil sample only (control) and EPB5 had unpolluted soil sample alone which was represented as a double control. Result showed that with the application of different levels of plantain peel waste, Increased microbial growth  from 1.23 x10⁶ -8.9 x10⁶ cfu/g, 4.8 x10⁶ -5.11 x10⁶ cfu/g, 1.03 x10⁵ -7.6 x10⁴ cfu/g and 2.1 x10⁴ -6.5 x10⁶  cfu/g for THBC, TFC, HUBC and HUFC respectively. Soil physicochemical properties was also influenced with the addition of plantain peel waste. Total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and total organic carbon increased from 3.8-5.9%, 0.04-2.1 mg/kg, 13.0-50.2mg/kg and 1.81-5.6% respectively. THC decreased from 2520-485 mg/kg/day, TPH decreased from 1205-329 mg/kg/day while pH decreased from 8.9-6.3. The results suggest that toxic nature of spent diesel and nutrient depletion can be ameliorated with the addition of different concentration of plantain peel waste and should be harnessed as efficient treatment for the restoration of crude oil polluted soil.