J.F. Bamidele

Contamination of soils due to spent engine oil is an important environmental issue affecting soil characteristics and plant growth. This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of spent engine oil on growth parameters of Saccharum spontaneum L. for potential use in phytoremediation of oil polluted environments. Spent engine oil from a motor service garage was prepared in five concentrations of 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64ml/Kg. Tillers of S. spontaneum were planted in top garden soil and allowed to stabilize for four weeks before treatments were added. A control experiment in four replicates was also set up. The control had a significantly higher number of tillers compared to the different concentration treatment groups. The higher concentrations of 16, 32 and 64ml/Kg of spent engine oil contaminated soil did not produce any tillers at all. Total aliphatic hydrocarbon content was lowest in the control and highest in the 64ml/Kg treatment. Total polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon was highest in the 32ml/Kg treatment. Soil chemical parameters did not show a dose dependent response to increase in treatment with spent engine oil. This report demonstrated that lower concentrations of spent engine oil enhanced the number of leaves, plant height and leaf area of S. spontaneum. Results showed that S. spontaneum was tolerant to, and thrived at low concentrations of contamination with spent engine oil but declined in growth and development at high concentrations and for extended periods