Hydrocarbon pollution of environmental matrices, especially groundwater, shoreline sediments, and soils, is still a big and complicated problem around the world. Bioremediation is necessary.
Hydrocarbon contamination of groundwater, shoreline, and soil systems poses significant environmental and public health challenges, particularly in oil-producing regions. This paper presents an assessment of selected remediation technologies, including; air sparging, hydraulic flushing, nutrient enhancement using NPK fertilizers, and the application of bioremediation agents (OSE II and SF 1000) systems for the treatment of hydrocarbon-contaminated environments. It evaluates the mid-term reverification results of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils in a study area in Niger delta, Nigeria through the analysis of twenty-six (26) sampling locations for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) and BTEX compounds using USEPA 8015C and USEPA 8260C analytical methods. The findings revealed significant spatial and vertical variability in contamination distribution and the applied techniques showed substantial remediation success and the influence of natural attenuation processes. However, elevated TPH concentrations were observed at intermediate and deeper soil depths, within some locations, confirming the presence of persistent hydrocarbon hotspots and historical spill accumulation zones. Vertical contamination profile demonstrated downward hydrocarbon migration and contaminant persistence in poorly aerated subsurface layers where biodegradation is limited. BTEX compounds were below detectable limits in all samples, suggesting extensive weathering and degradation of volatile petroleum fractions, leaving predominantly heavy hydrocarbon residues. Generally bioremediation active shows success.
Prof. Akuma A. Oji, Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, conducted spill impact studies in the Niger Delta, Currently participating in Ogoni spill clean clean up by HYPREP