Axonopus compressus: A Resilient Phytoremediatior of Waste Engine Oil Contaminated Soil

A phytoremediation study using Axonopus compressus (carpet grass) was carried out on three levels of simulated waste engine oil (WEO) contamination of soil for a period of 12 months.

The microorganisms associated with the rhizosphere region of the plant were the bacteria Bacillus sp. and fungi Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus carbonarius.

The plants were harvested at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months intervals and the respective fresh weights were taken at the respective harvest times. The plants remained resilient despite the level of WEO contamination and results of some physicochemical parameters of the contaminated soils measured showed that the plant was able to phytoremediate the WEO contamination.