Phytotoxicity of Soil Contaminated with Petroleum Derivatives and Biodiesel

Abstract

The inhibition of root and hypocotyl elongation may reflect toxic substances in low concentrations, which are not sufficient to prevent germination, but may delay or inhibit root and hypocotyl growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate root and hypocotyl growth inhibition in Cucumis sativus, Brassica oleracea and Barbarea verna as a parameter for assessing soils toxicity when contaminated with diesel, lubricant oil and biodiesel. Thus, potential toxicity of contaminants was evaluated according to biodegradation time in soil by examining root and hypocotyl elongation inhibition. Results show that C. sativus root is the best indicator for diesel and lubricant oil reduced toxicity after biodegradation. It was also observed that biodiesel increases its toxicity after two months of biodegradation.