Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Assessment of the physicochemical and microbiological status of western Niger Delta soil for crude oil pollution bioremediation potential

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of the soil across the western Niger Delta area of Nigeria were determined to assess its potential for natural remediation of crude oil pollution. The pH (oil-producing area, 6.1 ± 1.1; non-oil producing, 5.9 ± 0.9) and temperature (28–35 °C in both areas) were favourable to natural remediation, while the fluctuating moisture (7.7–45.6 %) and the dominant sandy soil textural classes (70 %) were limitations. The carbon nitrogen phosphorus (CNP) ratio markedly exceeded recommended 100:10:1, while the cation exchange capacity was below acceptable range. Counts of heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and hydrocarbon-utilising and nitrogen-fixing bacteria (mean range log10 3.8 ± 1.5–6.52 ± 0.9 cfu/g) were favourable having markedly exceeded the minimum counts required. Crude oil loss was highest in loam soil, but significantly (P = 0.00) increased in all soil textural classes including sandy soils after amendment with cow dung/poultry dropping and manual aeration in laboratory and 8-month field tests as indicated by two-way ANOVA. Thus, the overall assessment is that while CNP can be viewed as the major limiting factor to natural oil pollution remediation in the western Niger Delta soil, its influence can be minimised by the amendment indicated in the study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adekunle, M. I. (2011). Bioremediation of soils contaminated with Nigerian petroleum products using composted municipal wastes. Bioremediation Journal, 15(4), 230–241.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Agarry, S. E., Owabor, C. N., & Yusuf, R. O. (2010). Studies on biodegradation of kerosene in soil under different bioremediation strategies. Bioremediation Journal, 14(3), 135–141.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Agarry, S. E., Aremu, M. O., & Aworanti, O. A. (2013). Kinetic modelling and half-life study on enhanced soil bioremediation of bonny light crude oil amended with crop and animal-derived organic wastes. Journal of Petroleum & Environmental Biotechnology, 4, 2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amanullah, M. M., Sekah, S., & Muthukrishnan, P. (2010). Prospects and potential of poultry manure. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 9(4), 172–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atlas, R. M. (1981). Microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons: an environmental perspective. Microbiological Reviews, 45, 180–209.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benka-Coker, M. O., & Ekundayo, J. A. (1995). Effects of an oil spill on soil physico-chemical properties of a spill site in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 36(2), 93–104.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boelee, N. C., Temmink, H., Janssen, M., Buisman, C. J. N., René, H., & Wijffels, R. H. (2012). Scenario analysis of nutrient removal from municipal wastewater by microalgal biofilms. Water, 4, 460–473. doi:10.3390/w4020460.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chikere, C. B., Okpokwasili, G. C., & Chikere, B. O. (2009). Bacterial diversity in a tropical crude oil polluted soil undergoing bioremediation. African Journal of Biotechnology, 8(11), 2535–2540.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Das, N. & Chandran, P. (2011). Microbial degradation of hydrocarbon contaminants: an overview. Biotechnology Research International, Article ID 941810 13p. doi: 10.4061/2011/941810.

  • Dibble, J. T., & Bartha, R. M. (1979). Effect of environmental parameters on biodegradation of oil sludge. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 37(4), 729–739.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Egamberdieva, D., & Jucharova, Z. (2008). Cropping effects on microbial population and nitrigenase activity in saline arid soil. Turkish Journal of Biology, 32, 85–90.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Egbuchua, C. N., & Ojobor, S. (2011). Characterization of some hydric soils in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria for land evaluation purposes. International Journal of Advanced Biological Research, 1(1), 77–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekundayo, E. O., & Obuekwe, C. O. (2000). Effects of an oil spill on soil physico-chemical properties of a spill site in a Typical Udipsamment of the Niger Delta Basin of Nigeria. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 60(2), 235–249.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eziuzor, S. C., & Okpokwasili, G. C. (2009). Bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated mangrove soil. Nigerian Journal of Microbiology, 23(1), 1777–1791.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibekwu, V. I., Ubochi, K. C., & Ezeji, E. U. (2006). Effect of organic nutrients on microbial utilization of hydrocarbons on crude oil contaminated soil. African Journal of Biotechnology, 5(10), 983–986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ikpeme, E. M., Nfongeh, J. F., & Etim, L. (2007). Comparative bioremediation enhancement procedure on kerosene polluted utisol from Niger Delta region, Southern Nigeria. Research Journal of Microbiology, 2(11), 856–860.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iwegbue, C. M. A., Egobueze, F. E., & Opone, K. (2006). Preliminary assessment of heavy metals of soil of an oil field in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 3(2), 167–172.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • John, R. C., & Okpokwasili, G. C. (2012). Crude oil-degradation and plasmid profile of nitrifying bacteria isolated from oil-impacted mangrove sediment in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 88, 1020–1026. doi:10.1007/s00128-012-0609-8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C. R., & Scow, K. M. (1999). Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus addition on phenanthrene biodegradation in four soils. Biodegradation, 10(1), 43–50. doi:10.1023/A:1008359606545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kayode-Ishola, T. M., Eniola, K. I. T., Olayemi, A. B., & Igunnugbemi, O. O. (2008). Response of resident bacteria of a crude oil-polluted river to diesel oil. American-Eurasian Journal of Agronomy, 1(1), 06–09.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leahy, J. G., & Colwell, R. R. (1990). Microbial degradation of hydrocarbons in the environment. Microbiological Reviews, 54, 305–315.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leys, N. M., Bastiaens, L., Verstraete, W., & Springael, D. (2005). Influence of the carbon/nitrogen/phosphorus ratio on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation by Mycobacterium and Sphingomonas in soil. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 66(6), 726–36.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Margesin, R., & Schinner, F. (2001). Biodegradation and bioremediation of hydrocarbons in extreme environments. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 56, 650–663. doi:10.1007/s002530100701.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nkwopara, U. N., Omeke, J. O., Eshett, E. T., Ihem, E., Ndukwu, B. N., & Obasi, S. N. (2012). Some physico-chemical characteristics of arable soils around selected oil exploration sites in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 15(3), 1298–1309.

    Google Scholar 

  • Obasi, N. A., Eberechukwu Eze, E., Anyanwu, D. I., & Okorie, U. C. (2013). Effects of organic manures on the physicochemical properties of crude oil polluted soils. African Journal of Biochemistry Research, 7(6), 67–75. doi:10.5897/AJBR11.113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Obuekwe, C., Hourani, G., & Radwan, S. (2003). Hydrocarbon bioremediation potential of an unimpacted Kuwaiti oil-field environment. Acta Microbiologica Polonica, 52(4), 405–17.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Okolo, J. C., & Amadi, E. N. (2004). Optimising crude oil biodegradation in a sandy loam soil using a mixture of cow dung and poultry manure. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 5, 69–76. doi:10.5897/AJBR11.113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olukunle, O. F. (2013). Microbial population and physicochemical properties of oil-polluted sites in selected areas of Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 3(13), 58–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Onifade, A. K., Abubakar, F. A., & Ekundayo, E. O. (2007). Bioremediation of crude oil polluted soil in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria using enhanced attenuation. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 2(4), 498–504.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orji, F. A., Ibiere, A. A., & Dike, E. N. (2012). Laboratory scale bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon polluted mangrove swamp in the Niger Delta using cow dung. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology, 8(4), 219–228.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pernar, N., Baksic, D., Antonic, O., Grubesic, M., Tikvic, L., & Trupecevic, M. (2006). Oil residuals in lowland forest soil after pollution with crude oil. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 177, 267–268.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prince, R. C., Lessard, R. R., & Clark, J. R. (2003). Bioremediation of marine oil spills. Oil and Gas Science and Technology, 58(4), 463–468.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Puyate, Y. T., & Rum-Rukeh, A. (2008). Some physico-chemical and biological characteristics of soil and water sample of part of the Niger Delta Area, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management, 12(2), 135–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, J. George, E. & Abdul, R. (2001). Soil and plant analysis laboratory manual. 2nd Edition. Syria: International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).z.

  • Sabate, J., Vinas, M., & Solanas, A. M. (2004). Laboratory-scale bioremediation experiment on hydrocarbon contaminated soil. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 54, 19–25.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tolupe, A. O. (2004). Oil exploration and environmental degradation: the Nigerian experience. Environmental Informatics Archives, 2, 387–393.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ugboma, P. P. (2013). Effects of rice cultivation on Ndokwa East grassland soils in Delta State, Nigeria. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 1(11), 323–327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ugboma, P. P. (2014). Effects of oil spillage on soil fertility in Udu Local Government Area in Delta State. AFRREV STECH: An International journal of Science and Technology, 3(3), 47–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Umar, A. F., Tahir, F., Larkin, M., Mojisola, O., Oyawoye, O. M., Musa, B. L., Yerima, M. B., & Agbo, E. B. (2012). In-situ biostimulatory effect of selected organic wastes on bacterial atrazine biodegradation. Advances in Microbiology, 2, 587–592.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • USEPA (1994). Land farming, how to evaluate alternative cleanup technologies for underground storage tank sites: a guide for corrective action plan review. Washington DC: United States Environmental Protection Agency.

  • USEPA (1994). Naturally occurring biodegradation as a remedial action option for soil contamination: interim guidance. (Revised) PUBL-SW-515-95. Madison, Wisconsin: Department of Natural Resources and Remedial Response Programme.

  • USEPA (1999). Understanding oil spills and oil spill response. EPA 540-k-99-007, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response. Washington DC: United States Environmental Protection Agency.

  • Venosa, J. A. D. (1998). Oil spill bioremediation on coastal shorelines: a critique. In S. K. Sikdar & R. L. Irvine (Eds.), Bioremediation: principles and practice (pp. 280–296). Lancaster: Technomic Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, W. Q., Zhang, S., Li, Y., & Klassen, W. (2011). Potential approaches to improving biodegradation of hydrocarbons for bioremediation of crude oil pollution. Journal of Environmental Protection, 2, 47–55. doi:10.4236/jep.2011.21005.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Whyte, L. G., Bourbonnière, L., Bellerose, C., & Greer, C. W. (1999). Bioremediation assessment of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils from the High Arctic. Bioremediation Journal, 3(1), 69–80. doi:10.1080/10889869991219217.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Delta State University, P.M.B 1, Abraka, Nigeria

    Bernard O. Ejechi & Chizoba A. Ozochi

Authors
  1. Bernard O. Ejechi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chizoba A. Ozochi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bernard O. Ejechi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ejechi, B.O., Ozochi, C.A. Assessment of the physicochemical and microbiological status of western Niger Delta soil for crude oil pollution bioremediation potential. Environ Monit Assess 187, 369 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4598-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4598-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation