ASSESSMENT ON THE Chromolaena Odorata L. IMPACT ON CRUDE OIL POLLUTED SOIL AMELIORATED WITH COW DUNG

Abstract

This study was aimed at assessing the Chromolaena odorata. impact on crude oil polluted soil ameliorated with cow dung. 3600 grams of soil samples were polluted with crude oil at different concentrations ranging from 1 % to 3 % and 5 % while the cow dung levels remained constant. The plants were harvested by 12 weeks. Parameters such as these soils, cow dung and crude oil were analyzed for initial heavy metal properties while growth parameters data were collected and subjected to descriptive statistics to obtain the means and standard deviations. The differences in the heavy metal properties of soil, cow dung, crude oil, means of growth data and laboratory analysis were compared using analysis of variance. The result showed that the heavy metals in soil, cow dung and crude oil varied significantly (P<0.05).  The growth parameters studied generally varied considerably (P<0.05), except SG 2 WAP which do not differ significantly. In addition, Pb and Cd, Cr, Hg heavy metal levels in the plant and soil samples were very low and almost non-existing. Finally, cow dung an agro waste can improve phytoremediation of crude oil polluted soil by acting as a remediating agent.