Phytoremediation effect of Ricinus communis, Malva parviflora and Triticum repens on crude oil contaminated soil

Oil and its derivatives spills have been a major issue across decades and it is hard to biodegrade even though there are many techniques are being developed to clean up petroleum contaminated soil. Phytoremediation has long been applied as a treatment technology that is cost-effective, ecologically friendly and efficient for the decontamination of hydrocarbon pollution. In this study, four crude oil contaminated soil samples were collected from oil extraction fields in Libya. Three plants were chosen (Malva punilora, Ricinus communis and Triticum repens) on 0.5% and 1% crude oil contaminated soil .The chosen plant species were implanted individually in the contaminated soil pots. Soil sample (triplicate) was taken from each pot at zero time, after 15 days. After 30 days and after 45 days of experiment. Hexane was added to the soil samples, mixed, filtered and the absorbance was measured using spectrophotometer at 360 nm. The results were compared to the standard curve to calculate the crude oil concentration and percentage of removal. As a result the highest percentage of removal of 0.5 % crude oil contaminated soil was by Triticum repens (94%) after 30 days of experiment followed by Malva parviflora(88.5) and Ricinus communis(77 %). While in 1% crude oil contaminated soil pots experiment, the highest percentage of removal was by Malva parviflora (89%) after 30 days of experiment followed by Triticum repens (80%) and Ricinus communis (76 %). Triticum repens showed good results suggesting more field application.