scholarly journals A review of bioreremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils in Niger Delta area of Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 23-39
Author(s):  
Precious Ehiomogue ◽  
Israel Ahuchaogu ◽  
Edwin Ahaneku

Bioremediation technologies are an environmentally friendly approach for the treatment of polluted soils. This review take a look at the various remediation efforts by various scientist to ameliorate the effect of crude oil contamination on the environment. Contamination of the total environment (air, soil, water and biota) by crude oil has become a paramount interest in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. With the frequent reports of oil spillages in the Niger Delta area, there is need to seek for a cost effective method for remediation of crude oil impacted soils. Studies have revealed variable impacts of oil toxicity on the environment and exposed populations. Soil contamination is caused mainly by the leakage of underground storage tanks and pipes. The most common conventional method for the remediation of contaminated soils is excavation followed by landfilling or incineration and other technologies that have been widely practiced. Contaminated sites pose a threat to human life due to severe health problems caused by adverse health effects from exposure to soil contamination. Once it is being detected, assessment strategies, type of sampling, chemical analyses, evaluation of parameters and its effect must be done. Several technologies and parameters have been developed to treat petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil but the problem still exists.

Geosciences ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manar Hasan ◽  
Abdul-Sahib Al-Madhhachi

Iraqi soil contamination greatly influenced soil detachment. Previous researchers have not been able to predict the influence of crude oil soil contamination on either the mechanistic dimensional detachment parameter b0 or the threshold parameter b1 of the mechanistic detachment model (Wilson model). The aims of this research were (1) to investigate the influence of crude oil on deriving Wilson model parameters, b0 and b1, with two setups at different scales and different soil moisture contents and (2) to predict b0 and b1 in crude oil contaminated dry soils with varying levels of contamination. The “mini” JET apparatus was implemented under laboratory conditions for soil specimens packed at both a small (standard mold) and a large (in-situ soil box) scale. The results showed an inverse correlation between b0 and water content for clean soil. No correlation between b0 and soil moisture content was observed for contaminated soils. There was a huge reduction in the b0 value as the contamination time increased compared to the clean soil. This was related to the role crude oil plays in soil stabilization. Crude oil contamination significantly increased lead contamination level while slightly increasing the pH and total organic carbon. The influence of crude oil on mechanistic soil detachment can be predicted with a priori JET experiments on soils without crude oil based on crude oil parameters.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-124
Author(s):  
V.C Wokem ◽  
E.D. Momoh

The exploration, production and refining of crude oil has led to severe environmental degradation in the oil producing communities of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Enhanced bioremediation of tropical rainforest soil artificially polluted with crude oil, bioaugmented with nitrogen fixing bacteria (NFB) and biostimulated with poultry droppings was carried out ex situ. Soil sample was collected at 15cm depth from tropical rainforest soil of the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The NFB was isolated from roots of leguminous plant Arachis hypogea, identified as Nitrobacter species. Bioaugmentation by application of NFB served as option A, option B (biostimulation by application of poultry droppings), option C (No amendment) served as the control. Bioremediation was monitored for 28 days for interval of 14 days, and determined using the percentage ratio of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) losses for each period to TPH at initial day (day zero). Results of total culturable heterotrophic bacterial (TCHB) counts showed that highest range in option B (1.9×104- 2.4×109Cfu/g) than in option A (7.8×106 -2.29×107Cfu/g) and C (6.75×106 -2.6×107Cfu/g) respectively. Similarly, hydrocarbon utilizing bacterial (HUB) counts had higher range in option B (1.20×105 - 1.9×107Cfu/g) than in option A (8.30×104 - 2.30×105Cfu/g) and option C control (4.3×104 −1.69×105 Cfu/g) respectively. Changes in physicochemical parameters during the study showed reductions in nitrate, phosphate and TPH in all the options expect pH which showed slight increase in option C (6.20-6.24). Characterization and identification for bacteria revealed the following HUB genera Pseudomonas, Citrobacter, Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Micrococcus, Klebsiella, Staphylocuccus and Nitrobacter). The percentage losses in TPH from gas chromatography (GC) results showed the following; option A (44.24%) option B (61.08%) and option C - control (27.28%) respectively. The results from this study showed that option B, the application of poultry droppings as biostimulant was more efficient than the application of NFB in enhanced bioremediation of crude oil polluted soil, hence the use of poultry droppings which is available as organic waste, eco-friendly and cost-effective is recommended asbiostimulant for enhanced bioremediation in environmental cleanup of crude oil impacted-sites of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Key Words: Bioremediation, Crude oil polluted-soil, Biostimulation, Bioaugumentation, Poultry droppings, Nitrogen fixing bacteria.


Author(s):  
Francis E. Egobueze ◽  
Josiah M. Ayotamuno ◽  
Chukwujindu M. A. Iwegbue ◽  
Chibogwu Eze ◽  
Reuben N. Okparanma

Abstract Purpose This study sought to investigate the effects of organic amendments on the degradation of hydrocarbons and vegetative properties of Zea mays grown in crude oil-contaminated wetland soils of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Methods Two soil types were investigated, namely, fadama soil (oxisol) and swamp forest soil (utisol). For each soil type, 48 treatment cells and 1 control containing 1 kg of soil each were spiked with crude oil at concentrations ranging from 50 to 200 g kg−1, representing 5–20% (m/m) contamination levels, respectively. Then, 5 days after the contamination, the soils were amended with cow dung (CD), poultry waste (PW), and palm oil waste (POW). The ratios of soil to organic amendments used were 1:1 and 2:1. The soils were tilled and irrigated regularly, and monitored for a total period of 112 days. The same conditions were used to investigate the vegetative properties of Z. mays in these oil-contaminated soils with organic amendments. Results The total organic carbon (TOC) and pH increased significantly within the first 2 weeks after crude oil contamination; thereafter, the pH of the soil decreased significantly over incubation time, while there was steady increase in TOC with incubation time. The percentage nitrogen and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) decreased significantly. The utisol soil showed better plant performance, despite the lower hydrocarbon degradation rate. Conclusion The organic amendments showed a TPH degradation trend that followed the order: PW > CD > POW. They also improved the seed emergence of Zea mays.


Author(s):  
Aminaho, Efenwengbe Nicholas ◽  
Aminaho, Ehianu Maynard ◽  
Aminaho Konyengwaehie Augustus

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chioma Blaise Chikere ◽  
Memory Tekere ◽  
Rasheed Adeleke

Abstract Background: The frequency of crude oil pollution has been on the increase following increased exploration, exploitation and production of energy from fossil fuel. Bioremediation has been shown to be eco-friendly and cost-effective method of oil spill remediation. In the Niger Delta, Landfarming has been the most used technique. The aim of this research was to employ metagenomic techniques to understand microbial dynamics during field-scale remediation in the Niger Delta in order to improve and reduce the time of remediation. Results: The surface (0.0 – 0.5m) sample had an extractable TPH value of 6231 mg/kg. The subsurface samples from 1m, 1.5m and 2.0m depths had extractable TPH concentration of 4836 mg/kg, 9112 mg/kg and 7273 mk/kg respectively. Proteobacteria dominated the bacterial community of the oil-polluted soil and comprised mainly of the classes Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria. Alpha diversity analysis revealed the presence of crude oil in the soil reduced microbial diversity. Principal coordinate analysis showed the microbial structure continually changed following changes in the chemical composition of the soil. Mycobacterium, Burkholderia, Methylobacterium and Bacillus were among the core OTUs detected during the period of remediation. Significant variation in pathway abundance particularly pathways for propanoate degradation, benzoate degradation, naphthalene degradation, fatty acid metabolism, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation and degradation of xenobiotics were observed when the unpolluted soil was compared to the samples obtained during remediation. Conclusions: The findings from this study will greatly advance an already preferred landfarming oil spill recovery technique in the Niger Delta.


2019 ◽  
Vol 112 ◽  
pp. 03024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolae Cioica ◽  
Cătălina Tudora ◽  
Dorin Iuga ◽  
György Deak ◽  
Monica Matei ◽  
...  

Heavy metals are among the most common types of contaminants in agricultural soils, especially those bordering the cities, due to the uncontrolled use of sewage sludge, compost, mining waste and chemical fertilizers. Excessive accumulation of heavy metals, which do not degrade over time, adversely affects crop yields by decreasing microbial activity and fertility of contaminated soils. Also, excess of heavy metals in the soil poses a serious threat to plant and animal health and, through their entry into the food chain, to human health. For this reason, the decontamination of soils contaminated with heavy metals has become a necessity. This review presents the current state of phytoremediation research as the most cost-effective method of in-situ environmental decontamination of soils contaminated with heavy metals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-483
Author(s):  
Ndidiamaka Chijioke ◽  
Susan Audu-Bako ◽  
Ikechukwu Uwakwe

The discovery of crude oil in Oloibiri-a town in the present Bayelsa state, Niger-Delta region of Nigeria) in 1956 and the subsequent exploration activities have over the years impacted tremendously not only on the ecosystem and livelihood pattern of the Niger Delta but on the pattern of conflicts that has trended.. While resources accruable to Nigeria from sale of crude oil are shared by all, the impacts of oil spill an offshoot of crude oil exploration activities are borne solely by the Niger Delta region. Oil spill appears to have found a permanent abode in Bayelsa state; from Southern Ijaw to Sagbama local governments, Olodiama to Azuzuama communities. Local communities are faced with the problem of continuous oil spill. This in turn has brought about conflicts between oil bearing communities and oil companies. These conflicts in some instances led to shut down of operations of oil companies, vandalism, and reduction of Nigeria’s crude export. In view of the illustrated background, this study examined the strategies for management of oil spill related conflicts in Bayelsa state regarding that oil spill is a key impact of crude oil exploration activity. Findings revealed that the strategies deployed in the management of oil spill in the state can be categorised into three: community strategies, regulators and non-governmental organisations strategies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Calderucio Duque Estrada ◽  
Jason Sali ◽  
Patrizio Piras ◽  
Norbert Jallais ◽  
Uchechukwu Amaechi ◽  
...  

Abstract Despite their limited global distribution, mangroves have gained attention as a potential carbon offset option due to their high carbon storage capacity and diverse social and environmental co-benefits. Carbon stock in mangroves (global average=2,790tCO2eq/ha) is about four times higher than in terrestrial forests and contributes to almost 10% (37GtCO2eq) of global terrestrial carbon pool. Mangrove carbon sequestration averages 6.9tCO2eq/ha/yr but may reach more than 20tCO2eq/ha/yr. Literature suggests that over 812,000ha of mangrove areas, spread over 106 countries/territories, show potential for restoration. Furthermore, globally, mangroves have been lost at a rate of 1-2%/yr, which may account for an annual emission of about 0.09-0.45 GtCO2eq/yr that can be potentially avoided through conservation actions. Mangroves within the Niger Delta Region (NDR) cover 800,000ha (6% of world extent), and contain an estimated carbon stock of 2.2GtCO2eq. In 2017, Eni's subsidiary Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) launched a voluntary initiative to restore mangroves to promote social and biodiversity benefits while also contributing to offsetting its GHG emissions. A 30-ha pilot restoration area was identified in Okoroma, Bayelsa, where mangroves had failed to naturally recover from oil spills caused by third party interference in 2014. Site assessments were carried out in 2018 and indicated residual soil contamination (hydrocarbons/metals) and low fertility, a typical characteristic of soils in the NDR. A restoration trial (n=90 seedlings) using nursery-reared seedlings resulted in 100% survivorship and high growth rates, confirming the feasibility of active restoration across the entire site. Although soil contamination was lower than when the spills occurred, we concluded that the combination of residual contamination, low soil fertility and site topography had restricted the natural regeneration process. This in turn risked further soil degradation and ultimately erosion and permanent habitat loss. To prevent this from happening, a long-term restoration program based on the transplantation of fertilized seedlings in partnership with local communities is proposed. In addition to the benefits to the local communities and the environmental restoration, this project is expected to allow for the sequestration of 2,970tCO2eq in 20 years and avoid the emission of an estimated 60,000tCO2eq from soil carbon, numbers that could be scaled up in the future to a much larger area. The results of this case study further confirm the possibility of using mangroves as a Natural Climate Solution to offset GHG emissions from O&G operations.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deinkuro Nimisngha Sanchez ◽  
Charles W. Knapp ◽  
Raimi Morufu Olalekan ◽  
Nimlang Henry Nanalok

Abstract Background: Over the years, the issue of environmental degradation of ecological resources from crude oil pollution and its human health impacts is receiving more global attention. The utilization of environmental models capable of predicting the fate, transport and toxicity of chemicals in spilled crude oil can provide essential knowledge required to deal with the complexity associated with the fate of volatile petroleum chemicals in the environment. Objective: This paper explores environmental fate of toxic volatile organics from oil spill in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.Methods: A critical analysis of available literatures/data from PubMed, Scopus, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Jstor, including expert working group reports and environmental modeling using a screening tool (USEPA EPI Suite™) was carried out to determine the environmental partitioning of Benzene, Toluene and Naphthalene (BTN) respectively. The organic-carbon partitioning coefficient (Koc) was computed as a function of soil-water distribution coefficient (Kd) and percentage organic matter (%OM). This was utilized to determine the distribution of BTN in the environment and the possible risk posed on delicate ecological resources from crude oil pollution due to exploration and production activities within the Niger Delta Region (NDR), Nigeria. Results: Results from literature implicated sabotage and operational failures from pipelines as primary causes of crude oil spillages. Generation of a fugacity model using EPI Suite™ revealed that the behavior of BTN is greatly influenced by Koc values. The default Molecular Connectivity Index (MCI) showed that benzene and toluene will partition more into the water compartment while naphthalene will partition into the soil compartment. However, user-entered values showed all three chemicals partitioning more into the soil compartment. Aquatic toxicology estimation using Ecological Structural Activity Relationship (ECOSAR) revealed all chemicals not to be toxic even at over-estimated Koc values. Conclusion: This research established the usefulness of screening level environmental modelling tools in assessing environmental risk and hence helpful in developing site-specific models for monitoring chemicals in the environment which can assist governments, policy makers and industries in the design of appropriate regional disaster management plans.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document