Effect of Nitrogen-15, Phosphorus-15, and Potassium-15 Fertilizer on Indigenous Microorganisms Involved in Biodegradation of Crude Oil Contaminated Soil Collected from Shawguwolo Jeddo Metropolis, Okpe L.G.A, Delta State, Nigeria.

The increasing occurrence of oil pollution presents a significant environmental challenge, necessitating effective remediation strategies. Hence, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the effect of Nitrogen-15, Phosphorus-15, and Potassium-15 fertilizer on indigenous microorganisms involved in biodegradation of crude oil contaminated soil collected from Shawguwolo Jeddo Metropolis, Okpe L. G. A, Delta State, Nigeria using appropriate standard methods. It was observed that the hydrocarbon reduced from 5315.80 to 2276.57 within four weeks. The highest rate was observed in sample C, which showed a 95.7% reduction in the hydrocarbon contamination. Sample C also showed a 34% increase in the hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria present in the soil. Bioremediation leverages microbial activity to degrade pollutants, offering a cost-effective approach compared to other technologies, as it speeds up the process of degrading hydrocarbon by increasing the growth rate of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]