Oil-polluted soil remediation with NPK fertilisers.
It was clear from the present study that the addition of nutrients in the form of N.P.K. (such as nitrogen, phosphate and potassium) stimulated the activity of bacteria and fungi in soil. Chicken manure can also be used to supply the NPK nutrients the oil-polluted soil.
It was found that the mean value of CO2 production at 50% soil moisture content of petroleum contaminated soil amended with NPK fertilisers was always higher than the corresponding figures of soil polluted with petroleum oil alone or in soil that was not polluted. These results clearly demonstrate that enhanced oil biodegradation can be achieved by adding mineral nutrients to contaminated soil (Frick et ai., 1999).
The NPK nutirents used in the testing was applied via the following products:
– Ammonium nitrate (33.5% nitrogen),
– Single Superphosphate (9% phosphorous) and
– Potassium sulphate (41.5% potassium)
Other products such as Sodium Persulfate have been successfully used for treating hydrocarbon contamination in soil. Industry results have shown that persulfate oxidation is capable of treating diesel contamination in soils and groundwater.
