An Experiment on Agriculture Based Bioremediation of Petroleum Contaminated Soils in Curaçao.

Phytoremediation is a bioremediation process that uses various types of plants to remove, transfer, stabilize, and/or destroy contaminants in the soil and groundwater. Our project studies the phytoremediation of petroleum polluted soils with common Caribbean plants.

Objective

Evaluate tropical plants for use in phytoremediation of petroleum contaminated coastal deep soils in Curaçao.

Tasks & Technical Approach

Preliminary screening of plants for tolerance of salt and petroleum hydrocarbons.
Main screening of plants for reduction of petroleum hydrocarbons.

Plant Criteria for Experiments

Native or naturalized
Salt tolerant
Deep Rooting
Wide potential and range of use
Rapid growth
Low maintenance

Plant species to be used

Thespesia populnea

Cordia sebestena

Scaevola sericea

Nerium oleander

The Portia tree reaches a height of 6–10 m tall and its trunk can measure up to 20–30 cm in diameter. It grows at elevations from sea level to 275 m in areas that receive 500–1,600 mm of annual rainfall (Curaçao 570 mm). The tree is able to grow in a wide range of soil types that may be present in coastal environments, including soils derived from quartz (sand), limestone, and basalt; it favors neutral soils (pH of 6–7.4). Pollens are approximately 70 microns in size.

Cordia sebestena is widely planted throughout the tropics as an ornamental plant in gardens for its showy flowers. Soil tolerance is fairly broad, provided the soil drains well. Cordia sebestena tolerates drought, but not frost. It is not particularly susceptible to pests and diseases, other than the geiger tortoise beetle, which can cause occasional defoliation. This plant tolerates salt spray found near the ocean. It enjoys full sun, and can grow in a part-day sun situation as well.

Scaevola taccada typically grows directly on the beaches of tropical coasts with a preference for beach crests on coral sands. It grows within in the salt spray area and it is amongst the first pioneer plant colonisers on tropical atolls and sandbanks. Besides seeds, it is easily propagated from cuttings.

It prefers well drained sandy soils and it is a very salt tolerant scrub.

Nerium oleander is a shrub or small tree in the dogbane family Apocynaceae, toxic in all its parts. It is the only species currently classified in the genus Nerium. It is most commonly known as Fransche bloem in Curaçao.

The plant is tolerant of poor soils, intense heat, salt spray, and sustained drought – although it will flower and grow more vigorously with regular water.

Progress

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