Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Assessing the Effect of Bioremediation Agent Made from Local Resource Materials in Nigeria on Soil pH
by Adebola A. Adekunle, Iheoma M. Adekunle and Tobit O.

Abstract:
Remediation of oil polluted soils of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria is a burning environmental issues in the country. As a contribution to the promotion of local content policy to solving the problem, a bioremediation agent (Ecorem) that provides excellent destruction of hydrocarbons in soil was formulated from local raw materials. This study was aimed at assessing the impact of the formulation on soil pH as a part study on its effect on soil properties to establish eco-toxicological significance of product. Influence of product-soil weight ratio on soil pH was examined and predictive equations were developed. Result showed that remediation with Ecorem increased soil pH by 3.27 to 9.71%, improved the original soil status (6.25 =_ 0.01) by 2.72 to 12% without rendering the treated soil acidic or alkaline. The effect also varied with Ecorem - soil weight ratio, giving positive correlations with coefficients of up to 0.865(p = 0.06), which is a function of petroleum product type. Predictive equations developed showed that for planning remediation project execution using Ecorem; for soil contaminated by petroleum products such as spent engine oil and crude oil, marginal negative errors of 2 to 6% and positive error of 1 to 2% on pH value should be taken into consideration.

Keywords: environment, Nigeria, petroleum bioremediation, raw material development, soil pH

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