ABSTRACT
The concentrations of waste engine oil increase in
our environment from year to year. Different kinds of plants respond
to concentration of contaminants differently,
because of the diversity of physiological and morphological characteristics. The
experiment was conducted in an experimental farm behind the mushroom house of
the Department of plant Science and Biotechnology, Micheal Okpara University of
Agriculture Umudike, in Abia State. The experiment was arranged in completely
randomized design, (CRD) with three (3) replicates and a total of five (5)
treatments. In this study, the effect of different concentrations of spent
engine oil was investigated on the anatomy of leaf, stem and root of two different
grasses, E. indica and A. compressus.
The soil was contaminated with different concentrations of waste engine oil at 2%,
4%, 7% and 10.0% v/w, (volume/weight), with untreated soil (0.0%) as the
control. In this study the effect of different concentrations of spent engine
oil was investigated on anatomy of the leaf, stem and root of the grasses. In E. indica
and A.cpmpressus leaf with 0% concentration result showed that there
were stomata present and have straight epidermal cell walls, while from 2% -
10% concentrations showed sinuosity and distortion of the epidermal cells of
the leaves. Their stems at 0% concentration showed normal
arrangement of the vascular bundles, large parenchyma cells and intercellular
air spaces, but from 2%-10% showed distortion and clogging of the vascular bundles
and damage of other tissues like the pith, parenchyma was the most noticeable
effect on the contaminant had on the stem anatomy of the crops. Their roots at
0% concentration showed normal
parenchyma cells of the pith, while from 2%- 10%, it showed breakdown
of cells and tissues. In conclusion, waste engine oil pollution affects the
anatomy of E. indica and A. compressus, grown on different
concentration of this pollutant, the stomata, vascular bundles,
parenchyma cells and intercellular air spaces were also affected on the stems
of this grasses and breakdown of tissue and parenchyma cells were also affected at 2%,
4%, 7% and 10% concentration of waste engine oil.
TABLE
OF CONTENT
Title Page
I
Certification II
Declaration III
Dedication IV
Acknowledgement V
Table of Contents VI
List of Figures VII
List of Plates VIII
Abstract X
CHAPTER 1
1
INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Background Information 1
1.2 Effect
of Spent Engine Oil On Plant 3
1.3 Justification of the study 5
1.4
Objective of the study 5
CHAPTER 2 6
LITERATURE REVIEW 6
2.1
OVERVIEW OF PHYTOREMEDIATION 6
2.2
Mechanisms of Phytoremediation
2.2.1 Rhizofiltration 7
2.2.2 Phytostabilization 8
2.2.3 Phytovolatilization 8
2.2.4 Phytodegradation 9
2.2.5
Phytoextraction 9
2.3 Advantages of phytoremediation 9
2.3.1
Direct Benefits of Phytoremediation 9
2.3.2
Indirect Benefits of Phytoremediation 10
2.4 Limitations of Phytoremediation 11
2.4.1 Heavy metal toxicity 12
2.5 Application of
plants for phytoremediation 14
2.6 Examples
of plants used in phytoremediation 15
2.7 Plant Characteristics 15
2.7.1 Eleusine
Indica 15
2.7.2 Description 17
2.7.3 Distribution 17
2.7.4 Botany of Plant (E. indica). 17
2.7.5 Economic importance and uses 18
2.7.6 Edible Uses 18
2.7.7 Medicinal uses 18
2.7.8 Agroforestry uses 19
2.8 Axonopus
compressus 19
2.8.1 Scientific classification 19
2.8.2 Description 20
2.8.3 Distribution 20
2.8.4 Botany 21
2.8.4 Habitat 21
2.8.6 Uses/ Economic Important 22
2.8.6.1 Medicinal Uses 22
2.8.6.2 Agroforestry Uses 22
CHAPTER 3 24
MATERIALS
AND METHODS 24
3.1 Study Area 24
3.2 Experimental Design 24
3.3 Collection of Soil and plants Sample. 24
3.4 Collection of oil sample 24
3.5 Soil Treatment 25
3.6 Anatomical Studies. 25
3.7 Epidermal Peels. 26
3.8 Photomicrographs. 26
CHAPTER 4 27
RESULTS 27
4.1 Effect of Different Percentage of Waste Engine Oil
Pollution On the Anatomy of Leaf, Stem and Root of Grasses. 27
CHAPTER 5 39
DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATION
5.2 CONCLUSION 41
5.2 RECOMMENDATION 41
REFERENCE
LIST OF FIGURES
Fig. 1: Eleusine indica
Fig.
2: Axonopus compressus
LIST OF PLATES
Plate 1: T/S of
the leaf E. indica grown on 0%, 2%,
4%, 7% and 10% waste engine oil.
Plate 2: T/S of
the stem E. indica grown on 0%, 2%,
4%, 7% and 10% waste engine oil.
Plate 3: T/S of
the root E. indica grown on 0%, 2%,
4%, 7% and 10% waste engine oil.
Plate 4: T/S of
the leaf A. compressus grown on 0%,
2%, 4%, 7% and 10% waste engine oil.
Plate 5: T/S of
the stem A. compressus grown on 0%,
2%, 4%, 7% and 10% waste engine oil.
Plate 6: T/S of
the root A.compressus grown on 0%,
2%, 4%, 7% and 10% waste engine oil.
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Spent
engine oil sometimes referred to as waste engine oil is produced from
automobile mechanic shops and mechanical or electrical engine repairers’ shops
(Anoliefo and Vwioko, 2001) after servicing the vehicles engines, generating
set and other types of engines. It has dark brown to black color and it is
harmful to the soil environment (Adedokun and Ataga, 2007). This is because it
contains a mixture of different chemicals including low to high molecular
weight (C15-C21) compounds, lubricants, additives and decomposition products
and heavy metals which have been found to be harmful to the soil and human
health (Duffus, 2002).
According
to Ekundayo et al., (1989), marked
change in properties occurs in the physical, chemical and microbiological
properties of soils contaminated with lubricant oil. Oil displaces air and
water leading to anaerobic condition (Atlas, 1977). The presence of spent
lubricant oil in soil increases bulk density, decreases water holding capacity
and aeration propensity (Kayode et al.,
2009). The authors also noted reduced nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,
magnesium, calcium, sodium and increased levels of heavy metals in soils
contaminated with spent oil. In contrast, Vwioko et al., (2006) noted buildup of essential elements such as organic
carbon and organic matter and their eventual translocation to plant tissues.
Contamination
of soil by oil spills is a wide spread environmental problem that often
requires cleaning up of the contaminated sites (Bundy et al., 2002). Disposal of oil based wastes, oil spills from well
blow outs and pipeline ruptures are the most common sources of petroleum
contamination (Reis, 1996). The indiscriminate disposal of spent lubricating
oil by motor mechanics is a common source of spent lubricating oil
contamination of soil in countries like Nigeria that do not enforce strict
compliance to environmental laws. Crude oil and its products’ spills affect
plants adversely by creating conditions which make essential nutrients like
nitrogen and oxygen needed for plant growth unavailable to them. It has been
recorded that oil contamination causes slow rate of germination in plants.
According to Adam and Duncan (2002) this effect could be because the oil acts
as a physical barrier preventing or reducing access of the seeds to water and
oxygen.
Over the world, about 8.8 million of metric tonnes of
crude oil are released into the world water and soil. And out of this, 90% is
responsible for human activities of oil spillage and deliberate discharge of waste
into soil and water bodies (NRC, 1985). And the oil rich Niger Delta region of
Nigeria has been characterized by petroleum exploration, exploitation and
production activities and hence, daily predisposed to oil pollution of varying
magnitudes. For instance, since commercial exploration of petroleum started in
Nigeria in 1958, the land, water bodies and marshes have become heavily
polluted due to accumulation from several years of incipient and perceived
pollution of the ecosystem. (UN Report, 2001). According to UN report, it is
believed that an average riverine dweller of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria
is exposed to polluted air, polluted water and polluted food, thus resulting in
health hazard that reduces life expectancy. Also the agricultural lands have
become less productive, and the creeks and the fishing waters have become more
or less dead as well as series of civil unrests witnessed in the region due to
environmental degradation of oil exploration opined that oil exploration and
exploitation have over the last four decades impacted disastrously on the
socio-physical environment of the Niger-Delta oil bearing communities,
massively threatening the subsistent peasant economy and the environment and
hence, the entire livelihood and basic survival of the people. (Efe et al., 2012). However, attempts at
cleanup of oil contaminated sites in the region have been the physical,
chemical and thermal process techniques. However, these techniques have some
adverse effects on the environment and are also expensive. (Lundstedt, 2003).
1.2 Effect of
Spent Engine Oil On Plant
Growth and yield in soil contaminated with
spent engine oil. For instance, Odjegba and Sadiq (2002) reported low yield and
decreased growth grown in spent lubricant of plant oil contaminated soil. In
most cities and towns in Nigeria, some farmers or residents grow vegetables,
maize and other crops around the mechanic villages or sink borehole without
considering the health risks involved. Odjegba and Sadiq (2002). Researchers such as Wang et al. (2000), Odjegba and Sadiq (2002), Agbogidi and Nweke (2006)
and Okonokhua et al. (2007) had
worked on effect of spent lubricant oil contamination on soil properties and
crop yield but not much work has been carried out on heavy metals uptake by
crops in Abakaliki areas.
Several civil unrests due to environmental degradation
due oil exploration have also been witnessed in the Niger Delta region of
Nigeria (Inoni et al.,
2006). The physical, chemical and thermal processes are the common techniques
that have been involved in the cleaning up of oil contaminated sites (Frick et al., 1999). These
techniques however have some adverse effects on the environment and are also expensive
(Frick et al.,
1999; Lundstedt, 2003). Recently, biological techniques like phytoremediation
are being evaluated for the remediation of sites contaminated with petroleum. Phytoremediation suitability of G. max for use in remediation
of crude oil polluted soil.
The study is significant for some reasons. Firstly,
phytoremediation has mostly involved the use of weeds (Aprill and Sims, 1990;
Lee and Banks, 1993; Schwab and Banks, 1994; Qui et al.,
1997; Banks et al.,
2000). The use of food crops will improve the economic value of the technique
(Van de Lelie et al.,
2001). Secondly, although the conditions in the tropics favour
phytoremediation, few researches have been carried on this technique in the
tropics (Gallegos Martinez et al.,
2000; Merkl et al,
2005a). There is the need therefore to evaluate the potentials of
phytoremdiation in the tropics especially in Nigeria where pollution due to oil
activities is high. Njoku et al.,
(2008b). In addition, the high nutritional value of G. max makes
it acceptable by many and Njoku et al.,
(2008b) reported that G. max
has the potential of growing in sandy loam soil, a soil type found in Niger
Delta region of Nigeria.
Highly developed urban landscapes have received
substantial attention in programs designed to
cleanup contaminants the term “brownfields” is widely
recognized (Cunningham et al., 1996).
Cleanup efforts, however, have generally been aimed and large sites intended
for redevelopment. Because speed is commonly important in such projects,
phytoremediation is less commonly used (Black, 1995). Development of wildlife
habitat in urban neighborhoods has been almost entirely ignored because a
vacant lot or unused city strip cannot become part of a large wilderness area,
the presumption has been that they are useless as habitat. (Burger et al., 2003). We are coming to realize,
that while it is true that such small spaces, surrounded by urban noise, light,
and pollution, cannot recreate the wilderness that the city replaced, they can
support plants, animals, and ecosystems that have social, aesthetic, and
natural value (Flathman et al.,
1998). Flowers, diverse and interesting insects, and communities of birds can
become common again, even as we acknowledge that the corner lot cannot become
wood forest. (Atlas et al., 1997).
Phytoremediation with native plants provides a link
between the objectives of site cleanup and habitat restoration. The plants
whose rhizospheres promote degradation of hydrocarbons will at
the
same time provide food and habitat for rehabilitated ecosystems as the
transition is made
from brownfield to green space. (Aprill et al., 1990). Plants native to Southern
California grew more roots deeper, and roughly matched the performance of a
control planting of grass, we have found no reason why native plants should
fail. Single native plant species alone performed as well as grass in
phytoremediation (RTDF, 1999). Investigating the synergistic effects of
multiple native species together (e.g., shrubs, grasses, and annual forbs)
would be a promising next step. (Aprill et
al,.1990). As expected, the presence of native plants in field trials
attracted an insect community that is more typical of the natural ecosystems of
the region than the surrounding urban landscape, (Bowen et al., 1976).
1.3
Justification
of the study
This is an attempt to validate the technology of
phytoremediation to solve the problem. Hence this work is carried out in order
to bring to knowledge of using grasses E.
indica and A. compressus as the
best grasses to clean up soil that have been polluted with waste egine oil.
Since phytoremediation has been described as cheaper and better eco-friendly
unlike the costly physical and chemical methods of reducing the toxic effect of
heavy metals in soil.
1.4 Objective of the
study
The objective of this research study therefore is to:
1. Evaluate
the changes in some anatomical structures of Eluesin indica and Axonopus
compressus as a result of waste engine oil soil contamination.
2. Determine
which of the two species is more sensitive to spent engine oil pollution.
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