African Journal of
Environmental Science and Technology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0786
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJEST
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 1144

Review

An appraisal of phytoremediation as an alternative and effective remediation technology for crude oil- contaminated soils: A review

Oyedeji A. A.
  • Oyedeji A. A.
  • Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria.
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Besenyei L.
  • Besenyei L.
  • Department of Built Environment, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK.
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Kayode J.
  • Kayode J.
  • Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
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Fullen M. A.
  • Fullen M. A.
  • Department of Built Environment, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK.
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  •  Received: 07 May 2017
  •  Accepted: 13 February 2019
  •  Published: 31 August 2022

Abstract

The review investigates phytoremediation as an alternative environmentally-friendly method of cleaning and restoring hydrocarbon contaminated soils. Phytoremediation is a ‘green’ technology that exploits the natural ability of green plants to remove, degrade or suppress contaminants in soils, sludges, sediments, surface-water and ground-water in an ecologically-friendly manner. Its processes are stimulated by sunlight and microbial biota in the contaminated medium. The use of various mechanisms of phytoremediation is reviewed along with the criteria used in the selection of plant species for phytoremediation exercises. The importance of soil amendments in phytoremediation experiments is also considered. The usefulness of phytoremediation as a viable tool for the remediation of contaminated soils in the crude oil bearing regions of the world, and particularly in Nigeria, have been assessed through the work of previous authors to verify its suitability for the remediation and restoration of contaminated soils.

 

Key words: Crude oil, phytoremediation, pollution, plant species, soil.

Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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