Wood Ash Assisted Maize Plant Reduction of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon on Weathered Crude Oil Polluted Soil

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of wood ash in association with
planted maize in the remediation of total petroleum hydrocarbon in
weathered crude oil polluted. In the study, soils were artificially polluted with
weathered crude oil (50g Kg-1). Soil pollution, treatment, incubation and
analysis were done using standard laboratory protocol. The wood ash used
for soil treatment is alkaline with pH of 10.2, the ash also contained
remarkable quantity of essential nutrients. There was a reduction in the level
of pH and nutrients at the end of the incubation period. The sample treated
with ash in association with planted maize recorded the highest reduction.
There is also a decline in total petroleum hydrocarbon soil after the
remediation period in the entire samples, ash and maize plant combination
gave the highest reduction at the end of the remediation period. Therefore;
this research has shown that wood ash assisted maize plants in synergistic
relationship enhanced the reduction of total petroleum hydrocarbon in soil
than singly ash and maize plants strategies.