Phytoremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons Using Jatropha curcas in Soils Contaminated with Spent Engine Oil

Soil contamination with spent engine oil (a petroleum-based product) is a growing concern in many countries, especially in Nigeria. Phytoremediation of soils using a non-edible plant able to grow on tropical soils such as Jatropha curcas offers an eco-friendly and cost-effective method of remediating contaminated soils. This study focuses on the Phytoremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in soils contaminated with 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75% (w/w) Spent Engine Oil using Jatropha curcasfor a period of 80 days. The physiochemical parameters of the soil samples were analyzed. Thereafter the seeds were planted and grown in 2kg of contaminated soils amended with poultry droppings under field conditions including the control samples. The hydrocarbon loss in soils were periodically assessed at 20 days interval for a duration of 80 days. Results showed that the physiochemical parameters of soil samples were significantly impacted due to contamination with Spent Engine Oil. Furthermore, the percentage degradation of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) was higher (52%)insoil samples amended withpoultry droppings compared to the non-amended soils (45%). The Translocation factor (TF) of Jatropha curcas was greater than one. This suggests that Jatropha curcas is suitable for the Phytoremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in soils contaminated with Spent Engine Oil at 0.25,0.5 and 0.75% contamination levels and organic amendments enhanced the phytoremediation potential of Jatropha curcas.