The Impact of Oil Pollution on the Growth of Local Plants as Bioindicators for Assessing Environmental Pollution Effects

Abstract

The study explains oil pollution in Dora Refinery and its impact on the proliferation of flora around the refinery, using them as a biomarker in the study of pollution effects. Such studied plants are Salvia rosmarinus, Eucalyptus globulus, Ficus nitida, Conocarpus lancifolius, Nerium, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Dodonaea viscosa. It is expected that oil pollution is one of the major environmental problems in the Dora Refinery area, seriously polluting the soil and undermining plant survival in the area. This study tries to find out the response of such plants to the oil pollution: growth, reactions to the stress-toxicity mechanism, and assess its representative role in quantification of the impact of pollution on the environment, and adaptability of this species to adverse conditions, which could help in land reclamation and management. The methodology was followed: polluted and non-polluted sites were selected, which were close to the Dora Refinery, collection of soil samples for the cultivation of selected plants was done. The growth rates were measured; further biomarkers pertinent to oil pollutant exposure were monitored. In fact, the methodologies included assessment of oil pollutant levels in the soil, plant stress markers such as chlorophyll levels, antioxidant enzyme activities, and toxicity assessment as reflected by the accumulation of heavy metals and hydrocarbon pollutants. The results indicated that the growth rate of plants grown on polluted soil was much slower than that in a cleaner environment. It was indicated that Salvia rosmarinus and Dodonaea viscosa showed marked accumulation of hydrocarbon pollutants, while Eucalyptus globulus and Conocarpus lancifolius were more resistant to contamination. Besides, it demonstrated distinct features of environmental stress-an obvious decrease in chlorophyll content and an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes in polluted plants. These plant species may be good biological indicators in determining oil pollution effects, since their levels of tolerance varied among species. In fact, physiological characteristics of each plant kind might have a greater impact on the susceptibility to oil pollutants and thus provide useful insights in environmental monitoring programs and management strategies in contaminated areas.