Sequestration of PAHs in a Phytoremediation Using Indian Mustard and Bambara Plants

The prospective use of Indian mustard and Bambara plants for phytoremediation of crude oil contaminated farmlands was investigated in a 60 - day greenhouse and laboratory experiments. Results obtained showed that hydrocarbon contaminants produced deleterious effects on both biomass and total organic carbon. For Indian mustard – vegetated regimes, most reliable growth index, produced biomass gave over 57% at 5% and 10% crude oil spiking in relation to control and showed up to 2.4 fold increases compared to Bambara plants. Irrespective of tested spiking level, over 89% PAHs phytodegradation efficiency was achieved with both plants. Metabolites (such as naphthalene and anthracene) detected in the present study may suggest that these compounds are less phytotoxic than their less distinct degradable counterparts. These results indicate that Indian mustard could successfully be used preferentially as potent phytoremediating agent at petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated farmlands.