This study investigates the effectiveness of bioremediation in crude oil-contaminated soils from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, an area that has long suffered environmental degradation due to recurrent petroleum exploration and oil spills. The research emphasizes the degradation of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in two distinct soil types – swampy and clay soils – while assessing the influence of various organic and inorganic amendments. Organic amendments, specifically Moringa seed shells and Elephant grass, were combined with yeast and NPK fertilizer to evaluate their effectiveness in stimulating microbial growth and enhancing hydrocarbon degradation. The experimental design included varying amendment concentrations to determine the relationship between treatment level and hydrocarbon breakdown efficiency. Results indicated that amendment application substantially accelerated TPH degradation compared to untreated control samples. Moreover, higher treatment concentrations produced more significant hydrocarbon reduction, highlighting a dose-dependent response. Swampy soils demonstrated slightly greater biodegradation potential than clay soils, suggesting that soil texture and composition also influence remediation outcomes. The combined use of organic amendments with nutrient supplementation provided a synergistic effect, enhancing microbial activity and improving the overall efficiency of the remediation process. The positive correlation between amendment dosage and degradation rate emphasizes the importance of optimizing both amendment type and application levels. Overall, the findings of this study provide evidence that cost-effective and environmentally friendly materials, such as Moringa seed shells and Elephant grass can play a significant role in the remediation of oil-polluted soils. This approach represents a sustainable solution for soil restoration in the Niger Delta and other oil-impacted regions.

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1. Adaba, D. (2013). Effect of organic amendments on bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils. Journal of Environmental Management, 58(4), 204–210.

2. Akpe, S. T., Ogu, N. E., & Odo, G. I. (2015). Impact of organic amendments on crude oil degradation in soils. International Journal of Environmental Science, 22(6), 324–332.

3. Aghalibe, D., Al-Hawash, A., & Amagbo, J. (2017). Bioremediation of crude oil contaminated soils: A review of organic amendments. Environmental Science & Technology, 61(3), 223–238.

4. Ere, O., & Amagbo, J. (2019). Optimization of bioremediation in hydrocarbon-contaminated soils in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Environmental Pollution, 49(2), 112–118.

5. Hesnawi, A., & Adbeib, S. (2013). Nutrient supplementation and biodegradation of hydrocarbons in contaminated soils. Environmental Biotechnology Journal, 35(7), 1567–1572.

6. Ogu, N. E., & Odo, G. I. (2015). Effects of organic amendments on hydrocarbon degradation in soil. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 34(6), 432–442.

7. Abdullahi, U. B., Ekperi, N. I., & Hamidi, H. (2024). Drilling fluid characterization (filtration test). Journal of Petroleum Engineering & Technology, 14(2), 17–26.

8. Okogbule-Wonodi, A., Nweke, B., & Emeka, C. (2024). The strength of dry, fresh and decomposed raffia palm trunk in the bioremediation of oil-based drill cutting. Journal of Modern Chemistry & Chemical Technology, 15(3), 26–33.

9. Nweke, B., & Okogbule-Wonodi, A. (2025). Evaluation of physico-chemical parameters of drilling fluid and its effects on water quality discharged in Okoroagu River in Etche LGA of Rivers State. Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research, 12(1), 32–44.

10. Philip, U. E., & Ozioko, F. C. (2025). A comparative study of oven, spouted bed, and convective tunnel drying methods of mango for oil production. Journal of Modern Chemistry & Chemical Technology, 16(1), 14–18.

11. Ozioko, F. C., Okogbule, A. W., & Okirie, F. U. (2023). Evaluation of the effects of total suspended solid and total hardness in crude oil contaminated water environment. Journal of Petroleum Engineering & Technology, 13(2), 35–46.

This study investigates the effectiveness of bioremediation in crude oil-contaminated soils from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, an area that has long suffered environmental degradation due to recurrent petroleum exploration and oil spills. The research emphasizes the degradation of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in two distinct soil types – swampy and clay soils – while assessing the influence of various organic and inorganic amendments. Organic amendments, specifically Moringa seed shells and Elephant grass, were combined with yeast and NPK fertilizer to evaluate their effectiveness in stimulating microbial growth and enhancing hydrocarbon degradation. The experimental design included varying amendment concentrations to determine the relationship between treatment level and hydrocarbon breakdown efficiency. Results indicated that amendment application substantially accelerated TPH degradation compared to untreated control samples. Moreover, higher treatment concentrations produced more significant hydrocarbon reduction, highlighting a dose-dependent response. Swampy soils demonstrated slightly greater biodegradation potential than clay soils, suggesting that soil texture and composition also influence remediation outcomes. The combined use of organic amendments with nutrient supplementation provided a synergistic effect, enhancing microbial activity and improving the overall efficiency of the remediation process. The positive correlation between amendment dosage and degradation rate emphasizes the importance of optimizing both amendment type and application levels. Overall, the findings of this study provide evidence that cost-effective and environmentally friendly materials, such as Moringa seed shells and Elephant grass can play a significant role in the remediation of oil-polluted soils. This approach represents a sustainable solution for soil restoration in the Niger Delta and other oil-impacted regions.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Adaba, D. (2013). Effect of organic amendments on bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils. Journal of Environmental Management, 58(4), 204–210.

2. Akpe, S. T., Ogu, N. E., & Odo, G. I. (2015). Impact of organic amendments on crude oil degradation in soils. International Journal of Environmental Science, 22(6), 324–332.

3. Aghalibe, D., Al-Hawash, A., & Amagbo, J. (2017). Bioremediation of crude oil contaminated soils: A review of organic amendments. Environmental Science & Technology, 61(3), 223–238.

4. Ere, O., & Amagbo, J. (2019). Optimization of bioremediation in hydrocarbon-contaminated soils in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Environmental Pollution, 49(2), 112–118.

5. Hesnawi, A., & Adbeib, S. (2013). Nutrient supplementation and biodegradation of hydrocarbons in contaminated soils. Environmental Biotechnology Journal, 35(7), 1567–1572.

6. Ogu, N. E., & Odo, G. I. (2015). Effects of organic amendments on hydrocarbon degradation in soil. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 34(6), 432–442.

7. Abdullahi, U. B., Ekperi, N. I., & Hamidi, H. (2024). Drilling fluid characterization (filtration test). Journal of Petroleum Engineering & Technology, 14(2), 17–26.

8. Okogbule-Wonodi, A., Nweke, B., & Emeka, C. (2024). The strength of dry, fresh and decomposed raffia palm trunk in the bioremediation of oil-based drill cutting. Journal of Modern Chemistry & Chemical Technology, 15(3), 26–33.

9. Nweke, B., & Okogbule-Wonodi, A. (2025). Evaluation of physico-chemical parameters of drilling fluid and its effects on water quality discharged in Okoroagu River in Etche LGA of Rivers State. Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research, 12(1), 32–44.

10. Philip, U. E., & Ozioko, F. C. (2025). A comparative study of oven, spouted bed, and convective tunnel drying methods of mango for oil production. Journal of Modern Chemistry & Chemical Technology, 16(1), 14–18.

11. Ozioko, F. C., Okogbule, A. W., & Okirie, F. U. (2023). Evaluation of the effects of total suspended solid and total hardness in crude oil contaminated water environment. Journal of Petroleum Engineering & Technology, 13(2), 35–46.