Assessment of Soil-Water Infiltration Dynamics of Waste Oil Polluted Terrestrial Habitat Under Macrophytic Remediation: A Window for Automobile Workshops

Automobile workshops are the hub of waste oil sources among other sources of pollution with it attendance consequence of physico-edaphic alterations of the terrestrial soil habitat. This research was aimed at reevaluating the demonstrated potential of three hydrocarbon tolerant leguminous species; in view of their application in automobile workshop surroundings. Field and laboratory analysis of the physico-edaphic parameters were carried out using universally acceptable standard methods. Result has recorded enhanced infiltration rate by phytotechnology among Peltophorum pterocarpium (Pp), Leucaena leucocephala (Ll) and Crotolaria retusa (Cr) waste oil soils in the order Pp<Cl<Ll; in which P. pterocarpum has increased infiltration at lesser time rate of 1.07 ± 0.31, 1.51 ± 0.02, 2.48 ± 0.35 and 3.13 ± 1.45 across levels of treatment with significant difference (p<0.05). This was correspondingly in direct relationship with the significantly enhanced particle size (87.73%) of sand, and 2.61g/cm3 particle density, reduced bulk density (0.83g/cm3), 68% porosity increase and reduced organic matter content of 2.65%, total hydrocarbon content reduction of 1.8mg/g, high efficiency of 55% hydrocarbon removal, 34.40 bioaccumulation quotient and 24.63% reduction in crusting hazard of sealing recorded. Conclusively, P. pterocarpum can be proposed for automobile workshops as a proactive measure and containment absorbent among other hydrocarbon restoration approach against envisaged waste oil discharge. Keywords: Crusting hazard, total hydrocarbon, root formation, bioaccumulation quotient and particle size. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-3-07 Publication date:March 31st 201