Assessing the Hydrocarbon Tolerance and Phytoremediation Trait of Arachis hypogaea L. in Diesel Oil Spiked Soils

International Journal of Chemistry | Vol. 7, No. 9, September 2016 | pp. 65–72

DOI: 10.46882/2016/IJC/000096

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Assessing the Hydrocarbon Tolerance and Phytoremediation Trait of Arachis hypogaea L. in Diesel Oil Spiked Soils

Names of Authors: O. F. Olawal¹, J. de Koning²*

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Plant Biology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
²Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands.

Abstract: The accidental leakage of diesel fuel from commercial storage tanks damages agricultural soil porosity and introduces toxic aromatic hydrocarbons into arable land, demanding green restoration strategies. This controlled study investigates the growth kinetics and remediation efficiency of Arachis hypogaea L. (Groundnut) cultivated in soils artificially spiked with varying concentrations of automotive diesel oil (1.0% to 4.0% w/w). Plant structural indices, remaining soil total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations, and root zone microbial populations were quantified over a 90-day developmental period. Arachis hypogaea demonstrated strong physiological tolerance, maintaining high root nodulation indices across all diesel loading levels below 3.0%. Gas Chromatography (GC-FID) profiling showed a 74.2% reduction in soil TPH content within the rhizosphere of cultivated systems, compared to minimal attenuation (22.5%) in unplanted controls. Soil microbiological testing revealed a five-fold expansion of heterotrophic degradation bacteria within the legume root matrix. This confirms that root exudates and symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria actively interact to stimulate microbial proliferation, accelerating the degradation of complex petroleum structures in contaminated agricultural terrains.

Keywords: Diesel fuel; Arachis hypogaea; Total petroleum hydrocarbons; Soil phytoremediation; Rhizosphere effect; Legume symbiosis

Manuscript Timeline: Received: December 08, 2015; Revised: January 20, 2016; Accepted: February 15, 2016; Published: September 09, 2016.

Citation: Olawal, O. F., & de Koning, J. (2016). Assessing the Hydrocarbon Tolerance and Phytoremediation Trait of Arachis hypogaea L. in Diesel Oil Spiked Soils. International Journal of Chemistry, 7(9), 65–72.

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