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By: Eruni Philip Uku.
Chemical Engineering Department, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
This study evaluates the effectiveness of Baobab (Adansonia) and Neem (Azadirachta indica) in powdered form, combined with yeast and NPK fertilizer, for the bioremediation of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in polluted swampy and clay soils. Over an 84-day period, both treatments significantly enhanced TPH degradation, with Neem showing slightly better performance overall. In swampy soil, TPH removal ranged from 97.78% (Baobab) to 98.50% (Neem), while in clay soil, it ranged from 97.38% (Baobab) to 97.69% (Neem). The degradation rates varied depending on treatment weight, with higher treatment weights resulting in more effective TPH removal. In swampy soil, Baobab’s TPH degradation increased from 60.79% at 20g to 97.78% at 100g, while Neem’s degradation rose from 64.95% to 98.50%. In clay soil, Baobab’s degradation increased from 66.89% to 97.38%, and Neem’s degradation increased from 69.74% to 97.69%. The results also showed that Baobab was more effective during the first 42 days in clay soil, but after 42 days, Neem slightly outperformed Baobab, likely due to its higher nutrient content promoting microbial degradation. The findings suggest that both Baobab and Neem, when combined with yeast and NPK, are effective and sustainable bioremediation agents for TPH removal, with Neem showing a slight edge, particularly in swampy soils. This highlights the potential of using plant-based treatments for soil decontamination, offering an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to conventional methods.
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Citation:
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