Potential of Eight Species of Legumes for Heavy Fuel Oil-Contaminated Soil Phytoremediation

Abstract

The soil contamination of petroleum hydrocarbons is a widespread problem requiring an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution. This study aimed to test the leguminous plant resistance to heavy fuel oil (HF) soil contamination and to evaluate their phytoremediation efficiency and potential to maintain the soil nutrient content. Eight legume species were selected for the study. The selected legumes were grown in a growth chamber in HF-contaminated soil (2.5 and 4 g kg−1) for 90 days. After the soil treatment, the changes in the soil HF contamination, nutrient concentrations, and plants morphology were monitored. The HF pollution significantly affected the dry weight of the shoots and roots of seven of the eight tested plant species. M. sativa, M. albus, and L. corniculatus had the highest phytoremediation potential with the efficiency of the HF removal up to 95 %. The leguminous plant-assisted HF remediation resulted in an increase in the ammonium and inorganic phosphorous soil content, with the highest increase in the case of L. corniculatus and O. viciifolia. The cultivation of Phaseolus vulgaris, L. corniculatus, and M. albus helped to maintain the soil nitrates close to the constant level. The study demonstrated that M. sativa, L. corniculatus, and M. albus were the most efficient in HF removal.