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8740590 
Journal Article 
Bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-polluted mangrove swamps using nutrient formula produced from water hyacint (Eicchornia crassipes) 
Orji, FA; Ibiene, AA; Okerentugba, PO 
2013 
Yes 
American Journal of Environmental Sciences
ISSN: 1553-345X 
9 
4 
348-366 
English 
Laboratory-scale studies were carried out using a nutrient formula produced from Eicchornia crassipes plant to achieve bioremediation of crude oil impacted mangrove soil. In a 70 day study, the culturable heterotrophic bacterial population of the Eichhornia crassipes recipe increased from 6.26×05 Cfu/g to 2.69×107 Cfu/g. The control set-up had its total culturable bacterial count increased from 5.76×05 Cfu/g to 1.24×106 Cfu/g. Statistical analyses showed significant difference for the two conditions (p > 0.05). The total culturable heterotrophic fungal count in the Eichhornia crassipes recipe treatment increased from 5.36×105 Cfu/g to 2.50×107 Cfu/g respectively. The total culturable hydrocarbon utilising bacteria in Eichhornia crassipes treated polluted mangrove soil increased from 2.52×104 Cfu/g to 3.81×107 Cfu/g. Statistical analyses showed significant difference at p > 0.05 level for the two conditions (Eicchornia crassipes nutrient treated soil and control). The conductivity value of the Eichhornia crassipes recipe treated soil decreased progressively. Phosphate, nitrate, %total organic carbon, Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC). Studies using Gas chromatographic analyses showed that in the Eichhornia crassipes recipe treated polluted mangrove soil, 0, 58.92 and 75.36% were lost at zero hour, 28th day and 70th day respectively. In addition, in the control experimental set-up, 0, 7.14 and 13.42% of TPH were lost at zero hour, 28th day and 70th day respectively. There was no significant difference between the control experiment and Eichhornia crassipes (p = 0.054). The use of organic nutrient sources such Eichhornia crassipes recipe/nutrient powder is of good use as source of limiting nutrient needed for bioremediation of crude oil impacted medium. © 2013 Science Publication. 
Bioremediation; Biotechnology; Mangrove swamps; Niger delta; Nutrient formula/powder from water hyacinth; Petroleum hydrocarbon pollution