Biodegradation of Petroleum-Polluted Soils Using CNB-Tech – The Nigerian Experience

Abstract

Remediation of petroleum-hydrocarbon-polluted soil via biodegradation process is viewed globally as an environmentally friendly process. In this study, an overview of past and present field-scale petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation techniques utilized in Nigeria was conducted using the tools of literature review and field survey. Pilot-scale biodegradation of hydrocarbons in petroleum-impacted clay soil of up to 42-year-long contamination using novel and eco-safe CNB-Tech was carried out. This was followed by a comparative evaluation of crop growth performance on crude-oil-polluted soil remediated using a biodegradation technique adopted by a reputable oil company in Nigeria and the innovative CNB-Tech. The study revealed that CNB-Tech is an innovative, timeeffective, cost-effective and eco-friendly bioremediation technique and has the potential to excel over some existing biodegradation procedures employed by many oil industries especially in the developing countries.