PHYTOREMEDIATION OF ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS FROM ABANDONED LANDFILL SOIL USING ACALYPHA WILKESIANA

Abstract

This study assessed the potential of Acalypha wilkesiana for phytoremediation, a plant-based method used to clean hydrocarbon-contaminated landfill soil, which poses long-term risks to human health and the environment. The plants were transplanted into the landfill soil and harvested at intervals of 2, 4, and 6 months for analysis of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs), using Gas Chromatography coupled with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). Results revealed that A. wilkesiana successfully absorbed and translocated AHs throughout the study period. It demonstrated uptake of n-alkanes ranging from C₁₄ to C₃₃, with absorption levels increasing over time. Notably, hydrocarbons such as C₂₉, C₂₅, C₃₃, and C₃₁ were detected in the plant leaves at concentrations of 16.18, 15.27, 11.04, and 10.36 mg/kg, respectively, at the 6-month harvest. Morphological measurements indicated statistically significant differences in the ratios of root length to stem height (RL/SH), root length to stem diameter (RL/SD), and stem height to stem diameter (SH/SD), all exceeding the least significant difference (LSD) value of 3.62.  A. wilkesiana demonstrated the ability to absorb and retain hydrocarbons in both its roots and leaves, indicating its effectiveness for cleaning up hydrocarbon-contaminated landfill soils through phytoremediation.