Effect of oil pollution of soil on germination, growth, and nutrient uptake of corn
The effect of crude oil pollution of soil on the growth of plants and uptake of nutrients was investigated by growing corn (Zea mays L.) on a soil polluted by crude petroleum. The levels of the crude oil application varied from 0 to 10.6 percent by weight of soil. Three corn crops were raised in succession, each for a period of 6 weeks, in the same soil. The yeilds and plant contents of N, P, K, Ca, Fe, and Mn were determined. The soil was analyzed for organic C, total and available N, extractable P, and exchangeable K, Ca, Fe and Mn after each cropping. Germination and yields were drastically reduced as the level of pollution increased. At 4.2 percent crude oil pollution level, the average reductions were 50 percent and 92 percent in germination and yield, respectively. The amount of organic C, total N, and exchangeable K, Fe, and Mn increased in the soil with level of crude oil addition, while extractable P, NO/sub 3/-N, and exchangeable Ca were reduced. The poor growth was attributed to suffocation of the plants caused by exclusion of air by the oil or exhaustion of oxygen by increased microbial activity, interference with plant-soil-water relationships, and toxicity from sulfides and excess available Mn produced during the decomposition of the hydrocarbons.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Ibadan, Nigeria
- OSTI ID:
- 7366131
- Journal Information:
- J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Vol. 4:4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
02 PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
GERMINATION
GROWTH
INHIBITION
LAND POLLUTION
MAIZE
NUTRIENTS
PRODUCTIVITY
SOILS
UPTAKE
BIOMASS
CEREALS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
PLANTS
POLLUTION
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
510100* - Environment
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560303 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)
020900 - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects