A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of three groundnut varieties (SAMNUT 10, SAMNUT 11 and SAMNUT 22) and two spinach varieties (African Spinach and Feather Cockscomb) on the Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) on soil samples. Plastic buckets filled with 10 kg of topsoil were pounded daily with a mixture of 1 L of spent engine oil, 1 L of kerosene, 1 L of petrol and 1 L of diesel for ten days, before they were left to stabilize for a period of three weeks. Plant and soil THC analysis were done using standard methods approved by ASTM D 9071B. Test results showed that Arachis hypogaea and spinach plants had significant effect (p≤0.05) on the THC of the contaminated soil samples. From the results, Arachis hypogaea was able to degrade the THC from 1024 mg/kg to 133.31 mg/kg (about 86% reduction), while the spinach was able to degrade the THC from 1024 mg/kg to 192.98 mg/kg (about 80% reduction) within the experimental period of 14 weeks. In addition, the results showed presence of THC in the plant (root and leaf), with higher concentration (about 90 mg/kg for Arachis hypogaea and 72 mg/kg for spinach) in the roots than in the leaves (about 56 mg/kg for Arachis hypogaea and 38 mg/kg for spinach). The results obtained will help to evaluate the use of phytoremediation to clean up soils contaminated with petroleum products.
This study investigated the impact of petroleum products on the physiochemical properties, heavy metals and THC of soil samples; and their possible phytoremediation. Perforated plastic buckets were filled with 10 kg of sieved virgin topsoil. A mixture of 2 L of spent engine oil, 2 L of kerosene, 2 L of petrol and 2 L of diesel was gradually poured into each bucket and allowed to drain through the soil, once a day for five days, and there after left to stabilize for a period of 21 days. Fluted pumpkin (Telforia Occidentalis) and Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus, Cv. Kirikou) seeds were planted in buckets and closely monitored for 14 weeks. Soil analysis of the virgin topsoil, contaminated soil and remediated soil was done using standard methods. Tests results showed that the petroleum products significantly (p ≤0.05) altered the physicochemical properties, heavy metals and THC of the soil. From the results, the soil porosity decreased from 35% to 14%; specific gravity decreased from 2.34 to 1.35; the soil pH decreased from 7.05 to 5.34; the THC increased from 0,923 mg/kg to 964.35 mg/kg; copper level increased from 4.892 mg/kg to 7.729 mg/kg; the lead content increased from <0.0001 mg/kg to 1.128 mg/kg; while the iron content increased from 1251.2 mg/kg to 1587.9 mg/kg after the contamination. After the 14 weeks phytoremediation period, Telfairia occidentalis was able to degrade the THC in the soil from 964.35 mg/kg to 82.67 mg/kg; while Abelmoschus esculentus degraded the THC in the soil from 964.35 mg/kg to 104 mg/kg. Therefore, due to the harmful effects of the petroleum products on agricultural soils, laws banning their indiscriminate disposal of should be enforced.
The remediation of cassava effluent contaminated soil, using organic soap solution was evaluated, in this research. Soil parameters and bean growth performance investigated were moisture content, pH, temperature, germination rate, leaf colour, number of leaves and seedling height. The research was carried out in natural environmental condition, with the research divided into two units, namely; Control Unit (CU) and Amendment Unit (AU). Under the AU, the cassava effluent contaminated soil was treated with organic soap solution; while under the CU, the contaminated soil was left untreated. From the results obtained, the organic soil solution was observed to improve the soil physical properties and bean growth performance. The results showed that there was appreciable level of degradation of the cassava effluent in the soil, arising from organic soap solution. The soil pH, temperature and moisture content in the CU were significantly better than in Original Research Article
The mechanical properties of sandcrete block greatly influenced the durability of structures built from it. This study was carried out to assess the compressive strength of sandcrete blocks produced in two major developmental and rapidly urbanizing zones of Delta State, Nigeria. 150 and 225 mm sandcrete blocks were sampled from 18 blocks moulding factories in Ndokwa East and Ughelli North Local Government Areas of Delta State, Nigeria. Five sandcrete block was sampled from each block moulding factory, at the rate of 9 factories per Local Government Area. The compressive strength of the sampled blocks was determined in accordance with the ASTM International standards. The results of compressive strength test showed that the compressive strengths of the blocks, regardless of the block size ranged from 0.61 to 16.19 MPa. Analysis of the results revealed that apart from the customized blocks, the compressive strengths of all the other blocks fell below the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) recommendations of 2.5 MPa for non-load bearing walls. The general poor quality of the sandcrete blocks is attributed particularly to the poor mix ratios adopted by the block producers which fell short of NIS recommendations. Thus, this study recommended that standard regulatory agencies should closely monitor all the block making factories in the state, to ensure that sandcrete blocks produced or brought into the state met NIS recommendations
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