Effects of Refined Petroleum Hydrocarbon on Soil Physicochemical and Bacteriological Characteristics

The physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of soils as influenced by the addition of 5% gasoline, kerosene and diesel oil hydrocarbons, were investigated. Soil for study was bulked from around a car park in Port Harcourt. Soil sampling was carried out at weekly intervals for four weeks and subsequently at monthly intervals for four months, between the months of March and July 1998. Physico-chemical parameters such as organic carbon, magnesium, and sodium increased from 1.48% to 2.46%: 0.60 to 3.40meg 100g^-1 soil and 0.23 to 0.77meg 100g^-1 soil respectively. Nitrogen and phosphorous decreased from 0.15% to 0.07% and 35.1ppm to 10.88pm respectively while ammonium nitrate and nitrite were not affected in all soils. Calcium and potassium decreased beyond the control soil level in gasoline - contaminated soil after week 16. Counts of total viable aerobic heterotrophs ranged from 0.46 x 10⁶ CFGg^-1 soil to 1.59 x 10⁶ CFUg^-1 soil for the control soil; and from 0.56 x 10⁶ CFUg^-1 to 2.40 x 10⁶ CFUg^-1 soil for the hydrocarbon - contaminated soils. There was significant difference amongst treatments at P = 1%. @ JASEM