Authors: Adebola A. Adekunle; Iheoma M. Adekunle; Tobit O Igba
International Journal of Engineering Research and Development, Volume 2, Issue 4 (July 2012), PP. 40-45
Abstract
Local content policy in Nigeria promotes the development of innovative indigenous technology aimed at contributing to national science and technological development.
Consequently, bioremediation agent (Ecorem) was formulated from Nigeria local raw materials as a contribution to enhanced environmental performance in the petroleum sector. As part of evaluating kinetic mechanism of this product, this study was on the evaluation of the influence of Ecorem on moisture content of soils contaminated by crude oil and spent engine oil, as a part study on its effect on soil properties. Influence of product-soil weight ratio on moisture content was also examined. Result showed that Ecorem increased soil moisture content by 11 to 22 folds over the initial 1 to 3.65% of untreated soils, transformed the original soil from non-arable soil to arable status and did not render the treated soil waterlogged at close-out. The effect also varied with Ecorem – soil weight ratio, giving positive correlations with coefficients of up to 0.955(p = 0.011); which is a function of petroleum product type.
Keywords: environment, Nigeria, petroleum bioremediation, raw material development, soil moisture