Physico-Chemical Properties And Productivity Of Ultisols Polluted With Spent Automobile Oil Spillage In Three Mechanic Workshops In Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

 An assessment of the effect of spent engine oil on the physico-chemical properties and productivity of soils in three mechanic workshops in Umuahia was studied. Profile pits were dug at areas of the polluted and unpolluted areas in all the sites. Core samples were collected from both polluted and unpolluted areas. There was significant difference between the physico-chernical properties f polluted and unpolluted soil. The hydraulic conductivity, bulk density and mean weight diameter improved after. amendment with poultry manure.. The results also indicated a high coefficient of alienation (degree of unrelatedness), hydraulic conductivity, iI1R2 =0.65; bulkdensity, J1-R2 =0.61; pH (water), 11-R2=0.64; pH (KCL), J1-R2=0.70; K, ill-R20.93; Ca, J1-R2=0.73; Mg, J1-R2=0.63; Na, Vl-R2=0.60; exchangeable acidity, i1-R2=0.64; ECEC, i1-R2=0.68; %Base saturation, 'i1-R2=0.60, between the polluted and unpolluted soil. Maize crop performed poorly in the polluted soil. Amendment with poultry manure improved the performance. The use of poultry manure reduced the amount of hydrocarbon in the polluted soil, making it a viable choice for remediatidn of spcn automobile oil polluted soil.