This study evaluates the effectiveness of two plant-based treatments, Tangerine (Citrus reticulata) and Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) leaves, in the bioremediation of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) from polluted swampy soil. The performance of these treatments was assessed over an 84-day period using 100g of each treatment. The results demonstrated significant degradation of TPH, with Tangerine leaf showing a slight edge over Cashew leaf in the remediation process of crude oil- contaminated swampy soil. While TPH removal was faster in clay soil during the first six weeks, the performance in swampy soil dominated in the later stages of the study. Both treatments showed comparable effectiveness to other agricultural and organic waste treatments, indicating their potential as sustainable bioremediation agents. The experiment was designed to mimic real-world contamination scenarios, ensuring that the findings could be applicable to large-scale remediation efforts. The degradation rates were monitored at intervals using gas chromatography to quantify the remaining TPH concentrations. The results revealed that while both plant-based amendments facilitated microbial activity, the Tangerine leaf treatment led to slightly higher microbial proliferation, enhancing hydrocarbon breakdown. Cashew leaves, though slightly less effective, still contributed significantly to the remediation process by providing essential nutrients that supported microbial consortia. Soil moisture content and aeration played crucial roles in the degradation dynamics, with swampy conditions promoting a gradual yet sustained breakdown of hydrocarbons. The study highlights the feasibility of utilizing locally available plant materials for environmentally friendly bioremediation. Further research could explore optimization techniques such as combining these treatments with bioaugmentation strategies to accelerate hydrocarbon degradation further.

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1. Bandura, J. et al. (2017). "Effects of nutrient enrichment on the bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil." Journal of Environmental Management, 197, 98–105.
2. Mohammadi-Sichani, M. et al. (2017). "Bioremediation of hydrocarbons in polluted soils using organic amendments." Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(4), 3121–3129.
3. Umeda, T. et al. (2017). "Nutrient supplementation for enhanced hydrocarbon degradation in contaminated soils." Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 113, 100–107.
4. Ukpaka, C. et al. (2017). "The role of nitrogen and phosphorus in the bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons." Environmental Technology & Innovation, 7, 43–53.
5. Akpe, J. et al. (2015). "Comparison of bioremediation using cassava peels and other organic wastes." International Journal of Environmental Research, 9(3), 285–292.
6. Udom, G. & Nuga, O. (2015). "The role of organic manure in petroleum hydrocarbon degradation." Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 54, 97–105.
7. Aghalibe, M. et al. (2017). "Bioremediation potential of agricultural wastes for the degradation of TPH in polluted soils." Biodegradation, 28(2), 233–240.
8. Olu, D. (2017). "The effectiveness of spent mushroom substrate in the remediation of TPH-contaminated soils." Bioremediation Journal, 21(1), 12–20.
9. Ere, A. & Amagbo, S. (2019). "Comparative study of bioremediation agents for petroleum hydrocarbon contamination." Environmental Technology, 40(4), 453–460.
10. Azubuike, C.C., Chikere, C.B., & Okpokwasili, G.C. (2016). "Bioremediation techniques – classification based on site of application: Principles, advantages, limitations and prospects." World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 32(11), 180.
11. Baker, R.S., & Moore, A.T. (2000). "Optimizing the effectiveness of in situ bioventing: At sites suited to its use, bioventing often is a quick, cost-effective soil remediation method." Pollution Engineering, 32(7), 44–47.
12. Bandura, L., Woszuk, A., Kolodynska, D., & Franus, W. (2017). "Application of mineral sorbents for removal of petroleum substances: A review." Minerals, 7(37), 1–25.
13. Banerjee, A., & Ghoshal, A.K. (2017). "Biodegradation of an actual petroleum wastewater in a packed bed reactor by an immobilized biomass of Bacillus cereus." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 5(2), 1696–1702.
14. Banitz, T., Frank, K., Wick, L.Y., Harms, H., & Johst, K. (2016). "Spatial metrics as indicators of biodegradation benefits from bacterial dispersal networks." Ecological Indicators, 60, 54–63. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2015.06.021

This study evaluates the effectiveness of two plant-based treatments, Tangerine (Citrus reticulata) and Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) leaves, in the bioremediation of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) from polluted swampy soil. The performance of these treatments was assessed over an 84-day period using 100g of each treatment. The results demonstrated significant degradation of TPH, with Tangerine leaf showing a slight edge over Cashew leaf in the remediation process of crude oil- contaminated swampy soil. While TPH removal was faster in clay soil during the first six weeks, the performance in swampy soil dominated in the later stages of the study. Both treatments showed comparable effectiveness to other agricultural and organic waste treatments, indicating their potential as sustainable bioremediation agents. The experiment was designed to mimic real-world contamination scenarios, ensuring that the findings could be applicable to large-scale remediation efforts. The degradation rates were monitored at intervals using gas chromatography to quantify the remaining TPH concentrations. The results revealed that while both plant-based amendments facilitated microbial activity, the Tangerine leaf treatment led to slightly higher microbial proliferation, enhancing hydrocarbon breakdown. Cashew leaves, though slightly less effective, still contributed significantly to the remediation process by providing essential nutrients that supported microbial consortia. Soil moisture content and aeration played crucial roles in the degradation dynamics, with swampy conditions promoting a gradual yet sustained breakdown of hydrocarbons. The study highlights the feasibility of utilizing locally available plant materials for environmentally friendly bioremediation. Further research could explore optimization techniques such as combining these treatments with bioaugmentation strategies to accelerate hydrocarbon degradation further.

🔒 This is a subscription article

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

1. Bandura, J. et al. (2017). "Effects of nutrient enrichment on the bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil." Journal of Environmental Management, 197, 98–105.
2. Mohammadi-Sichani, M. et al. (2017). "Bioremediation of hydrocarbons in polluted soils using organic amendments." Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(4), 3121–3129.
3. Umeda, T. et al. (2017). "Nutrient supplementation for enhanced hydrocarbon degradation in contaminated soils." Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 113, 100–107.
4. Ukpaka, C. et al. (2017). "The role of nitrogen and phosphorus in the bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons." Environmental Technology & Innovation, 7, 43–53.
5. Akpe, J. et al. (2015). "Comparison of bioremediation using cassava peels and other organic wastes." International Journal of Environmental Research, 9(3), 285–292.
6. Udom, G. & Nuga, O. (2015). "The role of organic manure in petroleum hydrocarbon degradation." Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 54, 97–105.
7. Aghalibe, M. et al. (2017). "Bioremediation potential of agricultural wastes for the degradation of TPH in polluted soils." Biodegradation, 28(2), 233–240.
8. Olu, D. (2017). "The effectiveness of spent mushroom substrate in the remediation of TPH-contaminated soils." Bioremediation Journal, 21(1), 12–20.
9. Ere, A. & Amagbo, S. (2019). "Comparative study of bioremediation agents for petroleum hydrocarbon contamination." Environmental Technology, 40(4), 453–460.
10. Azubuike, C.C., Chikere, C.B., & Okpokwasili, G.C. (2016). "Bioremediation techniques – classification based on site of application: Principles, advantages, limitations and prospects." World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 32(11), 180.
11. Baker, R.S., & Moore, A.T. (2000). "Optimizing the effectiveness of in situ bioventing: At sites suited to its use, bioventing often is a quick, cost-effective soil remediation method." Pollution Engineering, 32(7), 44–47.
12. Bandura, L., Woszuk, A., Kolodynska, D., & Franus, W. (2017). "Application of mineral sorbents for removal of petroleum substances: A review." Minerals, 7(37), 1–25.
13. Banerjee, A., & Ghoshal, A.K. (2017). "Biodegradation of an actual petroleum wastewater in a packed bed reactor by an immobilized biomass of Bacillus cereus." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 5(2), 1696–1702.
14. Banitz, T., Frank, K., Wick, L.Y., Harms, H., & Johst, K. (2016). "Spatial metrics as indicators of biodegradation benefits from bacterial dispersal networks." Ecological Indicators, 60, 54–63. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2015.06.021