ECO-FRIENDLY INNOVATION: HARNESSING THE REMARKABLE BIO REMEDIATION POTENTIAL OF VERNONIA SPP FOR SUSTAINABLE RESTORATION OF HYDROCARBON-POLLUTED CLAY SOIL IN OGONI LAND NIGERIA.

1. INTRODUCTION

The history of oil operations in Ogoniland is indeed significant. In 1957, Shell discovered oil in Bomu, Ogoniland, and subsequently proceeded to extract oil from 96 oil wells, establishing 9 oil fields in the region. This extraction continued from 1958 until late 1993 when protests by the Ogoni people against Shell's practices led to the company ceasing its operations in Ogoniland. Despite Shell's presence in Ogoniland for 35 years, the oil production from this region accounted for only a small fraction, approximately 3%, of their overall production. However, during the period of 1976 to 1991, there were approximately 3,000 oil spills reported in Ogoniland alone. These spills have had a detrimental impact on the environment, affecting the land, water, and livelihoods of the local communities. Addressing the environmental consequences of these oil spills and working towards the remediation and restoration of Ogoniland is crucial for the well-being of the affected communities. By conducting research and implementing innovative solutions like bio-remediation, we hope to contribute to the healing and recovery of Ogoniland, fostering a sustainable and resilient future for the region.

The high number of oil spills in Ogoniland is indeed alarming. In the 15-year period from 1976 to 1991, Ogoniland alone accounted for approximately 3,000 oil spills, which represents a staggering 40% of the total spills by Shell in its global operations. It is important to note that these spills occurred within an area of approximately 1,050 square kilometers. This concentration of spills within such a relatively small region highlights the significant environmental impact and challenges faced by the communities in Ogoniland. Addressing these environmental issues and promoting sustainable practices is crucial for the well-being and future of the affected communities.

"In response to the Ogoni people's court case against the Shell petroleum development company (SPDC) in the Ogoni community, there has been an increase in efforts to find effective technologies for soil remediation. The oil spillage has resulted in the introduction of foreign substances such as olefins, bituminous materials, heavy metals, and other Sulphuric compounds into the soil."The contamination of the soil in Ogoni land has had detrimental effects on farming activities, rendering it unsuitable for agricultural purposes. This issue has also been exacerbated by erosion, which has further spread the contamination and made the soil unusable. If prompt action is not taken, the consequences will be severe: the land in Ogoni will remain infertile for an estimated period of 500 years, if not indefinitely. This poses a significant threat to not only the current Ogoni population but also their future generations, their economy, and the sustainable use of their natural resources.

Successfully achieving the aim and objectives of this study will provide valuable information to institutions regarding the optimization of bio-remedial activity using bitter-leaf and other bio-remediation. This knowledge will bring hope to not only the Ogoni people but also to other areas grappling with polluted soils. Moreover, it will stimulate further research and development in this field by contributing to the existing knowledge base. By advancing our understanding of bio-remediation, we can work towards creating a cleaner and healthier environment for all.

Eco-Friendly Innovation: Harnessing the Remarkable Bio-Remediation Potential of Vernonia spp. for Sustainable Restoration of Hydrocarbon-Polluted Clay Soil in Ogoni Land, Nigeria. Alignment with UN SDGs:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being: By utilizing Vernonia spp. for bio-remediation, the research contributes to improving the health and well-being of the communities in Ogoni Land by reducing the harmful effects of hydrocarbon pollution on the environment and human health.
• Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: Restoring hydrocarbon-polluted clay soil through bio-remediation helps protect water sources from contamination, ensuring clean and sustainable water supply for the community.
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The research presents an eco-friendly innovation that harnesses the bio-remediation potential of Vernonia spp., providing a sustainable solution for restoring polluted soil and promoting sustainable practices in the industry.
• Goal 13: Climate Action: By addressing hydrocarbon pollution and restoring the clay soil, the research contributes to climate action by mitigating the negative environmental impacts and promoting sustainable land use practices.
• Goal 15: Life on Land: The research focuses on restoring the clay soil in Ogoni Land, which is essential for preserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable agriculture, and ensuring the long-term health of ecosystems in the area. Significance:

The research holds significant importance in several ways:

• Environmental Restoration: By harnessing the bio-remediation potential of Vernonia spp., the research offers a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to restoring hydrocarbon-polluted clay soil. This has long-term benefits for the environment and ecosystems in Ogoni Land.
• Health and Well-being: The restoration of hydrocarbon-polluted soil helps protect human health by reducing the exposure to harmful pollutants and toxins. This contributes to the overall well-being and quality of life for the communities living in the affected area.
• Sustainable Development: The research aligns with the principles of sustainable development by providing a solution that balances environmental, social, and economic aspects. It promotes sustainable land use practices and contributes to the achievement of multiple UN SDGs.
• Community Empowerment: Implementing bio-remediation techniques using Vernonia spp. can create opportunities for local communities to actively participate in the restoration process, fostering community engagement, and promoting sustainable development at the grassroots level. In summary, the research on harnessing the bio-remediation potential of Vernonia spp. for restoring hydrocarbon-polluted clay soil in Ogoni Land, Nigeria, aligns with various UN SDGs. It carries significant implications for environmental restoration, human health, sustainable development, and community empowerment.

2. LABORATORY ANALYSIS:

2.1. Clay Soil Bio Remedial Analysis

The study involved collecting clay soil samples and mixing them with bonny light crude oil to simulate the conditions found in the study area. We then measured the changes in pH, hydrocarbonbon content, and metal levels by comparing the initial and final values before and after the addition of crude oil. Table 1 provides a record of the initial and final conditions of these factors

To conduct the experiment, we will be using a total of 30 batch reactors. These reactors will enable us to make various observations throughout the experiment.

2.1. pH Analysis

"To assess the stability or instability of pH in clay soil, it is necessary to analyze each scenario and determine whether the varying quantities of species have an impact on the pH value. This analysis aims to investigate how different masses of species may influence the stability of pH in the soil.

Figure 1. a, b, c, d, e, f: pH behavioural characteristics of the vernonia extracts using different application methods in clay soil.

Figure 1. a, b, c, d, e, f: pH behavioural characteristics of the vernonia extracts using different application methods in clay soil.

It's fascinating to observe the stability of pH values in various methods of preparation. In contrast to the other methods, the wet blended vernonia species showed an interesting trend. As the wet blended vernonia species interacted with the soil, it effectively remediated the excess metals present. Consequently, the pH gradually increased, transitioning from acidic to normal to alkaline. Specifically, after 40 days, the pH of the clay soil reached a value of 6.97 for 40 grams of vernonia Galamensis and 7.00 for vernonia amygdalina. This indicates the positive impact of these vernonia species in optimizing soil conditions.

"Increasing the amount of vernonia species in the clay soil will gradually raise its alkalinity

2.1.2. HC analysis

"Furthermore, there was a noticeable decrease in hydrocarbon content, indicating successful remediation, as the mass of vernonia species increased. However, it is worth noting that the remediation effects reached a plateau and remained constant after the 35th day. Specifically, while the addition of more mass led to a decrease in HC remediation for vernonia Galamensis, vernonia Amygdalina continued to exhibit an increase. These observations are illustrated in Figure 2, which demonstrates the limiting values of hydrocarbon content remediation.""The most significant remediation values were achieved using 35g and 40g of vernonia Galamensis and vernonia Amygdalina, respectively. This emphasizes the importance of determining the most effective approach to maximize the remediation effects. Let's explore further to identify the optimal strategy.

Based on the data presented in Figure 3, it is evident that both room dry and wet blended methods were highly effective in bio-remediating the hydrocarbon content in the clay soil. The use of Vernonia Galamensis resulted in a significant reduction of up to 0.55 ug/ml, while Vernonia Amygdalina achieved an even higher reduction of up to 0.67 ug/ml. These impressive results were observed at 35g and 40g respectively on the wet blended basis.

2.1.3. Metal Analysis

The increase in pH value towards the alkaline state in the clay soil can be attributed to the reduction of metals present. Hence, it is important to evaluate the potential of metal reduction in the soil. The data analysis indicates that a higher mass of vernonia species leads to a greater remediation of metals in the clay soil. This suggests that increasing the mass of vernonia species can enhance the effectiveness of metal reduction in the soil

2.1.4. Pb Remediating Response

The positive impact of reducing pH concentration in the soil can be observed in the increased remediation effect. Specifically, as the mass of the vernonia species increases, there is a notable enhancement in the reduction of Pb (lead) in the soil. This indicates that a larger quantity of vernonia species contributes to a more significant reduction of lead contamination in the soil, thereby improving its overall quality.

Figure 4 demonstrates that the room dried vernonia species exhibit higher Pb remediation activity compared to the wet basis vernonia species. This difference can be attributed to the reduced activity of micro-organisms and Phytochemicals responsible for Pb remediation under wet conditions. Both species of vernonia leaf, however, achieved approximately 0.60 ug/ml of Pb remediation, indicating that they are equally effective in reducing Pb contamination in the soil.

1.5. Zn Remediating Response

Similarly to Pb remediation, the presence of Zn in the clay soil can also be effectively remediated and reduced. Figure 5 highlights that the remediating effects on Zn, compared to other metals, are relatively lower. Approximately 0.25 ug/ml of Zn was successfully remediated, primarily attributed to the wet blended preparation of vernonia species. On the other hand, the room dried vernonia species exhibited the lowest performance in soil remediation for Zn, removing only about 0.17 ug/ml and 0.10 ug/ml for Galamensis and Amygdalina, respectively.

2.1.6. Cr remediating Response

When it comes to Chromium (Cr) remediation, the wet blended method exhibits slightly higher potential compared to other preparation methods. Although the difference is minimal, a remediation of 0.5 ug/ml of chromium was achieved using both forms of vernonia leaf extracts. The sun dry and room dry methods also demonstrated significant remediation potential, with values surpassing 0.4 ug/ml. Overall, all the methods show promise in effectively remediating chromium from the soil.

Figure 6. a, b: Cr remediation method comparism using vernonia Galamensis and vernonia Amygdalina in clay soil.

Figure 6. a, b: Cr remediation method comparism using vernonia Galamensis and vernonia Amygdalina in clay soil.

2.2 Developing a model to illustrate the individual remedial activity based on the data generated is a great idea. In this case, the measurable responses from the remediation process would be the concentrations of metals and hydrocarbon contents in the soil. The independent factors to consider would include the grams of Vernonia species applied and the duration of the remediation process (in days). Given that the wet blended method showed more promising remediation effects, you can focus on incorporating this approach into the model. By analyzing the data and considering the relationships between the independent factors (grams of Vernonia species and days taken) and the measurable responses (metal and hydrocarbon concentrations), you can develop a regression model or another appropriate statistical model to illustrate the individual remedial activity of the Vernonia extracts. Remember to consider the significance of the model, as indicated by the p-value, and the strength of the relationship, as indicated by the coefficient of determination (r2). These statistical measures will help assess the reliability and validity of the mode