Effects of refined petroleum hydrocarbon on soil physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics
Obire, O.; Nwaubeta, O.
Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management 6(1): 39-44
2002
DOI: 10.4314/jasem.v6i1.17193Document Number: 259965
The physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics of soils as influenced by the addition of 5% gasoline, kerosene and diesel oil hydrocarbons, were investigated. Soil for study was bulked from around a car park in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Soil sampling was carried out at weekly intervals for four weeks and subsequently at monthly intervals for four months, between the months of March and July 1998. Physicochemical parameters such as organic carbon, magnesium, and sodium increased from 1.48 to 2.46%: 0.60 to 3.40 meg 100 g-1 soil and 0.23 to 0.77 meg 100g-1 soil respectively. Nitrogen and phosphorous decreased from 0.15 to 0.07% and 35.1 to 10.88 ppm, respectively, while ammonium nitrate and nitrite were not affected in all soils. Calcium and potassium decreased beyond the control soil level in gasoline - contaminated soil after week 16. Counts of total viable aerobic heterotrophs ranged from 0.46x106 CFG g-1 soil to 1.59x106 CFU g-1 soil for the control soil; and from 0.56x106 CFU g-1 to 2.40x106 CFU g-1 soil for the hydrocarbon - contaminated soils. There was significant difference amongst treatments at P=1%.