Abstract Detail

Ecological Section

Oyedeji , Ayodele Adelusi [1], Kayode, Joshua [2], Obua, Obiangeli [1], Besenyei, Lynn [1], Fullen, Michael A. [1].

The potential of selected leguminous tree species for the re-vegetation of crude oil polluted soils in Nigeria.

The study reports the potential of selected tropical leguminous tree species (LTS), native to the forest ecosystems of oil producing regions of Nigeria, to establish in crude oil contaminated soil. Replicated experiments were conducted within a greenhouse in Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Bauhinia monandra, Delonix regia and Tetrapleura tetraptera, all members of the Fabaceae family, were planted in 4000 g pots filled with loamy sand soil contaminated with different concentrations of crude oil (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 ml). These treatments represented control (unpolluted), low, medium, high and very high pollution rates, respectively. Growth parameters (plant height, girth, number of leaves, root and shoot biomass) were determined on the tree species at two week intervals for 16 weeks. The results showed that early growth in these tree species was closely related to crude oil concentration. D. regia grew better in contaminated soils in comparison with the other species. Results suggest that leguminous tree species, particularly D. regia, have the potential to be used for the re-vegetation of crude oil contaminated soils and phytoremediation in the crude oil producing regions of Nigeria and probably in other tropical countries experiencing crude oil pollution problems. Further studies on these LTS in crude oil polluted fields are recommended to verify these assertions.

1 - University of Wolverhampton, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV1 1LY, UK
2 - Ekiti State University, Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, P.M.B. 5363, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Keywords:
Fabaceae
crude oil
contamination
re-vegetation
phytoremediation
tropical tree species.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEC002
Abstract ID:112
Candidate for Awards:Ecological Section Best Graduate Student Poster