Optimisation of Diesel Polluted Soil Using Response Surface Methodology

This research is based on the investigation of the bioremediation of diesel polluted soil using biostimulation strategy. The study was carried out on a diesel contaminated soil and concentrations: Tween 80 (5-15ml), Poultry droppings (20-60g), Hydrogen Peroxide (0.5-1.5ml) were added and incubated for 28 days of remediation period. Response Surface Methodology with Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was used with three factors and three levels of Tween 80, Poultry droppings and Hydrogen Peroxide as independent variables while diesel oil (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon) removal was the dependent variable (response). The result showed disparities in the diesel oil biodegradation pattern with respect to Tween 80, Poultry droppings and Hydrogen Peroxide. The statistical analysis, via ANOVA showed coefficient of determination R2 to be 99.89% and P < 0.05. The predicted optimum parameter of Tween 80: 10.10ml, Poultry droppings: 41.46g and Hydrogen Peroxide: 1.10ml were gotten while 56.565% was gotten as the optimal diesel oil removal. At this optimum condition, the observed diesel oil removal was found to be 56.568%. It can be concluded that bioremediation of diesel-contaminated soil resulted in petroleum hydrocarbon degradation.