Abstract

A field project located at the Botanical garden of the University of Port Harcourt was designed to evaluate changes in contaminants concentration and toxicity during phytoremediation. Vegetated plots were established by planting different plant species – legumes and vegetable (Abelmoschus, esculentus, Telfaria occidentalisand Vigna unguiculata) and applied with sawdust and chromolaena leaves at different intensities of oil pollution. Toxicity of the soil was evaluated using germination percentage, flowering, fruit set and weight. The reduction of toxicity was more with legume than vegetables. However, total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration was lower by the end of the study in all the soils planted with the crops.

Key words: phytoremediation, soil degradation and restoration.