Screening the Effects of Asphalt Plant Discharge Water on Germination Indices of Some Edible Vegetables

Volume: 11 | Issue: 2 | Year 2025 | Subscription
International Journal of Environmental Chemistry
Received Date: 08/11/2025
Acceptance Date: 09/16/2025
Published On: 2025-09-25
First Page: 22
Last Page: 35

Journal Menu

By: Akpovbovbo D. P, Duru C.M, Abara P. N, Ukaoma A. A, Nti B. U, Egereonu U. U, Obi U. D, Ude P. C, and Amogu E. U

1Lecturer, Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
2Professor, Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
3Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
4Technologist, Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
5Professor, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
6Assistant Lecturer, Department of Environmental Management, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
7Assistant Lecturer, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
8Assistant Lecturer, Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study aims to determine the effects of asphalt plant discharge water containing different compounds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on germination parameters of viable seeds of Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F, Corchorus olitorius and Solanum macrocarpon L. in a screen house. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with five replicates. A 300 ml of asphalt plant discharge water obtained from the three different locations (T2, T3, and T4) was used to water soils containing the seeds of the plants in pots every two days for a duration of eight weeks, and the plants were regularly monitored and recorded accordingly. The different germination parameters; namely, germination percentage, coefficient of velocity of germination, mean germination time, germination rate index, and germination index were used in this study to assess the responses of the seeds to the treatment with asphalt plant discharge water. From the physicochemical analysis of the asphalt plant discharge water, the parameters were observed to have the following mean ranges with the pH (5.49–5.94), chemical oxygen demand (101.33–149.33 mg/l), biological oxygen demand (121–132 mg/l), total dissolved solids (260–278 mg/l), turbidity (181.5–171.5 NTU), sulfate (71.64–95.402 mg/l) and phosphate (9.73–10.996 mg/l) which were above the World Health Organization (2006) and Federal Ministry of Environment Nigeria permissible limits. The level of conductivity (170.49–189.46 mg/l) and nitrate (7.409–9.157 mg/l) remain within the permissible limit. The result also revealed that 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were identified in the asphalt plant discharge water out of the 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons listed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the European Union as environmental contaminants. Acenaphthene was not detected in the asphalt plant discharge water. The concentration of low molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was the lowest, with a value of 1203.503 mg/l, while the high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons had the highest concentration of 5099.88 mg/l. The results of the germination parameters showed that there was a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the germination percentage, germination rate index, coefficient of velocity of germination, and germination index of the seeds planted in soils watered with asphalt plant discharge water than the control group. The mean germination time recorded in the control was significantly different at (P < 0.05) from all the treatments. The observable reduction in the germination parameters of the plants treated with asphalt plant discharge water could be attributed to the alteration of the physicochemical parameters and toxic compounds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons detected in the asphalt plant discharge water.

Loading

Citation:

How to cite this article: Akpovbovbo D. P, Duru C.M, Abara P. N, Ukaoma A. A, Nti B. U, Egereonu U. U, Obi U. D, Ude P. C, and Amogu E. U, Screening the Effects of Asphalt Plant Discharge Water on Germination Indices of Some Edible Vegetables. International Journal of Environmental Chemistry. 2025; 11(2): 22-35p.

How to cite this URL: Akpovbovbo D. P, Duru C.M, Abara P. N, Ukaoma A. A, Nti B. U, Egereonu U. U, Obi U. D, Ude P. C, and Amogu E. U, Screening the Effects of Asphalt Plant Discharge Water on Germination Indices of Some Edible Vegetables. International Journal of Environmental Chemistry. 2025; 11(2): 22-35p. Available from:https://journalspub.com/publication/ijec/article=21867

Refrences:

  1. Chen J, Ye Y, Ran M, Li Q, Ruan Z, Jin N. Inhibition of tyrosinase by mercury chloride: Spectroscopic and docking studies. Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:81–91.
  2. Titirmare NS, Gaikwad AS, Margal PB. Soil pollution and environmental health. In: Chaware SA, et al., editors. Adv Soil Sci. 2023;1(13):267–307. Bright Sky Publications, New Delhi, India.
  3. Njoku KL, Orji-Oraemesi CM. Study of the time-efficacy and rate of phytoremediation of crude oil polluted soil by Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp. Int J Environ Qual. 2022;48:41–57.
  4. Rajib D, Nihar RS, Pankaj KR, Debojyoti M. Role of electrical conductivity as an indicator of pollution in shallow lakes. Asian J Water Environ Pollut. 2005;3(1):143–6.
  5. Iwuoha GN, Udoh C. Volatile organic compounds and heavy metals in asphalt concrete used in road surfacing of east west road, Nigeria. J Chem Soc Niger. 2016;41(1):94–8.
  6. Bingul Z, Altikat A. Environmental permit process of emission of asphalt plant. Eskisehir Tech Univ J Sci Technol. 2020;21(1):106–13.
  7. Borinelli BJ, Blom J, Portillo-Estrada M, De Maeijer PK, Van den Bergh W, Vuye C. VOC emission analysis of bitumen using proton-transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Materials. 2020;2:1–14.
  8. Florkova Z, Sedivy S, Pastorkova J. The environmental impact of asphalt mixtures production for road infrastructure. IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng. 2021;15:1–10.
  9. Edori OS, Iyama WA. Assessment of heavy metals pollution in soils within hot mix asphalt plants vicinity in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Pharm Chem J. 2021;8(1):24–32.
  10. Kamal A, Cincinelli A, Martellini T, Malik RN. A review of PAH exposure from the combustion of biomass fuel and their less surveyed effect on the blood parameters. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2015;22:4076–98.
  11. Adam G, Jaromir K. Effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on germination and initial growth of selected lawn grass species in soil polluted with PAHs. J Ecol Eng. 2024;25(1):175–86. https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/174427.
  12. Rilwani LW, Abanure EF. An assessment of the environmental impact of asphalt production in Nigeria. Anthropol. 2010;12(4):277–87.
  13. Sun W, Wang H. Moisture effect on nanostructure and adhesion energy of asphalt on aggregate surface: a molecular dynamics study. Appl Surf Sci. 2020;5:16–24.
  14. Bisht S, Pandey P, Bhargava B, Sharma S, Kumar V, Sharma KD. Bioremediation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using rhizosphere technology. Braz J Microbiol. 2015;46(1):7–21.
  15. Shourie A. Effect of cadmium and lead stress on seed germination and seedling growth of Jatropha curcas Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia. 2022;19(3):671–8.
  16. Wang L, Tao W, Smardon RC, Xu X, Lu X. Speciation, sources, and risk assessment of heavy metals in suburban vegetable garden soil in Xianyang City, Northwest China. Front Earth Sci. 2018;12:397–407.
  17. Onofri A, Benincasa P, Mesgaran MB, Ritz C. Hydrothermal-time-to-event models for seed germination. Eur J Agron. 2018;101:129–39.
  18. Shah W, Ullah S, Ali S, Idrees M, Khan MN, Ali K, et al. Effect of exogenous alpha-tocopherol on physio-biochemical attributes and agronomic performance of lentil (Lens culinaris) under drought stress. PLoS One. 2021;16(8):248–59.
  19. Rashidi A, Tehranifar A, Samiei L. Improving energy efficiency, germination indices and root system development in Cape periwinkle and marigold through spectral distribution and light exposure time. Environ Exp Bot. 2021;30:245–61.
  20. Labrie G, Gagnon AE, Vanasse A, Latraverse A, Tremblay G. Impacts of neonicotinoid seed treatments on soil-dwelling pest populations and agronomic parameters in corn and soybean in Quebec (Canada). PLoS One. 2020;15(2):229–36.
  21. Ameh LEO, Machido DA, Tijjani MB, Sow GJ. Assessment of physicochemical properties of wastewater from waste stabilization pond of a refinery and petrochemical industry, Kaduna State, Nigeria. J Appl Sci Environ Manage. 2023;27(12):2759–63.
  22. Mogashane TM, Mokoena L, Tshilongo. A review on recent developments in the extraction and identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from environmental samples. Water. 2024;16:2520–53.
  23. Adekunle I, Olokoyo F, Oke M. Physicochemical properties and pollution index of industrial effluent discharges in Nigeria: implications for public health. J Environ Manage. 2021;28:184–97.
  24. Ogunfowokan A, Alabi J, Akinola M. Water quality monitoring of industrial discharges: case of effluents from the Nigerian construction industry. Water Qual Res J. 2022;57(2):75–83. https://doi.org/10.2166/wqrj.2022.148.
  25. Ojo O, Odukoya O, Tolu A. Assessment of wastewater characteristics and impact of industrial discharges in Nigeria. Environ Eng Manage J. 2022;21(4):625–34. .
  26. Eze P, Ijoma G, Okonkwo O. Quality of effluent from asphalt production plants: Case study of Nigeria. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2021;28(15):18945–53. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13317-7.
  27. Wyasu G. Determination of physicochemical pollutants in wastewater and some food crops grown along Kakuri brewery wastewater channels, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Sci World J. 2020;15(3):111–5.
  28. Guidelines for drinking water quality. First addendum to the third edition. Vol. 1. Recommendations. 2006;491–3.
  29. Olokoyo F, Nwachukwu C, Oduniyi O. Assessment of wastewater characteristics and impact of industrial discharges in Nigeria. Environ Eng Manage J. 2022;21(4):625–34. https://doi.org/10.30628/eemj.2022.032.
  30. Nwachukwu C, Ijoma G, Eze O. Nutrient pollution and its treatment: phosphate and nitrogen contents in industrial effluents from asphalt plants. J Environ Health Sci. 2021;39(5):503–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/0013930405320.
  31. Olaniyi T, Abiola F, Oluwaseun T. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) in wastewater from Nigerian industrial sectors. Int J Ind Chem. 2020;11(4):367–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40090-020-00218-7.
  32. Ijoma G, Adeyemi D, Akinwumi I. Nitrate concentrations in wastewater: A study of industrial effluent in Nigeria. Environ Sci Technol. 2021;54(3):267–75. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c05450.
  33. Igbokwe O, Okafor U, Chukwu G. Biochemical oxygen demand and organic contaminants in effluents from asphalt and construction industries. Int J Environ Pollut. 2021;24(3):212––20. doi.org/10.12944/IJEP.24.3.07.
  34. Chen S, Wang J, Li Q, Zhang W, Yan C. The investigation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions in environmentally friendly modified asphalt. Polymers. 2022;14:3459–68.
  35. Ambade B, Sethi SS, Kumar A, Sankar TK, Kurwadkar S. Health risk assessment, composition, and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in drinking water of Southern Jharkhand, East India. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2021;80:120–33.
  36. Famiyeh L, Chen K, Xu J, Sun Y, Guo Q, Wang C, et al. A review on analysis methods, source identification, and cancer risk evaluation of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Sci Total Environ. 2021;789:147741–50.
  37. Emmauel AE, Obi C, Kinigoma B. Assessment of total petroleum hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in wastewater from selected flow stations in Agbada II, Rivers St. 2021.
  38. Azorji JPN, Udebauni AC, Nwachukwu MO, Ijeoma OR, Duru CM, Nwachukwu CU. Effects of spent engine oil on germination and early seedling establishment of arable crops. Asian J Sci. 2023;16:16–22.
  39. Sorana IT, Simona M, Daniela S, Gheorghe IF. Effects of oil pollution on seed germination and seedling emergence. Toxicol Biotechnol Lett. 2020;25(1):1194–201. doi:10.25083/Rbl/25.1/1194.1201.
  40. Ismail MA, Elyamine AM, Moussa MG, Cai M, Zhao X, Hu C. Cadmium in plants: Uptake, toxicity, and its interactions with selenium fertilizers. Metallomics. 2019;11:255–77.
  41. Kaur N, Erickson TE, Ball AS, Ryan MH. A review of germination and early growth as a proxy for plant fitness under petrogenic contamination—Knowledge gaps and recommendations. Sci Total Environ. 2017;60:728–44.
  42. Feng Y, Li W, Li Z. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): Environmental persistence and human health risks. Nat Prod Commun. 2025;20(1):1–8. doi:10.1177/1934578X241311451.
  43. Cyril OO, Ernest NO, Ekikhalo CO. Occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in wastewater effluents and stream water in Delta State, Nigeria. Int J Innov Res Dev. 2018;7(6):156–61.
  44. Devesh S, Claire A, Rinhart, Shivendra VS. Comprehensive study of excess phosphate response reveals ethylene mediated signaling that negatively regulates plant growth and development. Sci Rep. 2017;7:1–16.
  45. Predrag I, Dragana NM, Ljiljana SB, Zia URF. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils in industrial areas: concentration and risks to human health. Pol J Environ Stud. 2022;31(1):595–608.

 

 

 

 Previous Article
Next Article