Kinetics of bioremediation of crude oil polluted soil using potato peels as bio-stimulant

This study investigated the utilization of bio-stimulant derived from agro-based resource (potato peels) in the remediation of crude-oil contaminated soil. At a constant proportion of crude oil contamination, varying concentration of the biostimulant (5ml, 10ml, 15ml and 20ml) were introduced for the treatment (bioremediation and degradation) of the contaminated sites and left for a degradation period in plastic vessels. Periodic sampling of soil from each vessel was carried out at 5 days interval for total petroleum hydrocarbon analysis. Results indicated that after 20 days of exposure to the organic biostimulants, biodegradation of crude oil contaminated soil samples was directly proportional to the potato peels dosage.  The potato peels (PO) derived biostimulant recorded 94.43 percentage degradation at 20ml dosage and 20 days contact time. Oil contaminated soil samples amended potato peels biostimulant recorded half-life of 0.702day and biodegradation rate constants of 0.986day-1. The zero order kinetic model best described the bioremediation kinetic behaviour of the bioremediation process. The findings of this research suggest that potato peels can be used as an effective organic amendment for the biodegradation of crude oil contaminated soil.