Effects of two Refined Petroleum Products on the Growth Response, Survival and Mineral Nutrient Relations of Sacciolepis africana (Hubb and Snowden)

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of refined petroleum products (diesel and gasoline, RPPs) on Sacciolepis africana (Hubb and Snowden). The parameters measured include number of leaves, plant height, biomass production, chlorophyll content index, leaf area and mineral nutrient content. The refined petroleum concentrations used were 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8% (v/w). The results showed that leaf and biomass production, chlorophyll content index and mineral nutrients were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in S. africana when exposed to all concentrations of the RPPs for eight weeks. A gradual decrease in height of the test plant was also noticed. Leaf area was reduced as concentration increased. The effects were concentration and medium dependent. RPP of gasoline had more toxic effect on the test plant. The leaves of the test plant also showed signs of chlorosis and wilting. This study has been able to demonstrate that S. africana can play a role in phytoremediation at low levels of pollution and also that the test plant can act as a bio indicator of polluted water body. It is recommended that proper measures be put in place to prevent release of these products into the environment where it can adversely affect plants thus disrupting the ecosystem balance.