TITLE:
Effect of crude oil pollution on heavy metal contents, microbial population in soil, and maize and cowpea growth
AUTHORS:
Gabriel Olulakin Adesina, Kasali Amofe Adelasoye
KEYWORDS:
Pollution; Heavy Metals; Microbial Population
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.5 No.1,
January
10,
2014
ABSTRACT: The effect of crude
oil pollution on heavy metal content in the soil, microbial population, and
growth performance of maize and cowpea was investigated. The heavy metals determined were lead,
cadmium, iron, nickel, zinc and copper. Microbial population and growth
performance of maize and cowpea in both polluted and unpolluted soils samples
were evaluated. Results showed that higher concentration of heavy metals was observed
in all crops planted in polluted soil, polluted site vegetation and soils. The
total heterotrophic bacteria was 89% lower in the polluted soil than in the
unpolluted soil while fungi was 78% lower in the polluted soil when compared to
the unpolluted soil. However, hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria and fungi was 22%
and 24% higher in the polluted soil than in the unpolluted
soil respectively. Maize and Cowpea performed poorly in polluted soil when compared
with unpolluted soil as evidenced in the growth parameters measured for both
crops.