Abstract:
Phytoremediation is an alternative method to reduce toxic concentrations in hydrocarbon
contaminated soils. The potential plant used in the phytoremediation of petroleum waste
hydrocarbons is Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.) plants. Efforts for improving the Ramie
performance in the phytoremediation process of petroleum need to be done through inoculation
of N-fixing Bacteria (NfB) such as Azotobacter sp. and Azospirillium sp., and also Cow
manure compost application. Factorial randomized block design was used as a treatment design.
The first factor was the inoculation of NfB: control; mixed culture of NfB; Azospirillum sp. and
Azotobacter sp. and the second factor was the application of compost at the level of: control; 5 t
/ h; and 10 t / h. The results showed that inoculation of NfB mixed culture decreased the
Azotobacter spp population, but did not affect to the Azospirillium spp. population. The compost
application at a dose of 10 t/ h could significantly increase the Azotobacter spp. population. The
treatment of NfB mixed culture and compost application at a dose of 5 t/ h significantly increase
the efficiency of hydrocarbon biodegradation, the efficiency of hydrocarbon biodegradation
values were of 83.1% and 83.0%, respectively. Ramie plant which interacted with the NfB
indigenous was able to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons with biodegradation efficiency values
in the values range of 80.0 - 80.9%. Inoculation of NfB mixed culture was able to function as a
bio-stimulant for increasing the biodegradation efficiency of petroleum hydrocarbons in the
phytoremediation system by using Ramie plants |
