DOI: 10.11648/j.ajche.20261405.13 ISSN: 2330-8613

Remediation of Hydrocarbon Impacted Soil Using Clogen

Abowei Kenyas, Kenneth Dagde, Titus Amadi, Jaja Zina
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Hydrocarbon pollution of soil remains one of the most critical environmental challenges in oil-producing regions such as the Niger Delta, where crude oil exploration, transportation, and refining activities frequently result in environmental contamination. This study investigated the remediation of hydrocarbon-impacted soil using CLOGEN, a locally developed electro-ionic biopolymer formulated by Andelsta Ltd. and approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria under Patent No. R.16273. Laboratory and field investigations were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of CLOGEN in reducing Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in contaminated soils. Site characterization revealed that the soil lithology consisted of sand, sandy clay, silty clay, coarse sand, and fine sand, with the site predominantly classified as a clay-based soil. The fine-grained clay structure exhibited low effective porosity and a high affinity for petroleum hydrocarbons due to strong adsorption characteristics. The nitrate concentration in the soil ranged from 10.06 mg/kg to 27.42 mg/kg, while ammonium concentration reached a maximum value of 11.018 mg/kg, indicating low nitrogen availability and the need for nutrient supplementation during remediation to maintain an optimum carbon: nitrogen: phosphorus (C:N:P) ratio for microbial activity. Initial TPH concentrations ranged from 454 mg/kg to 8,528 mg/kg, exceeding the permissible limit of 1,000 mg/kg established by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). Soil samples were analyzed before and after treatment to determine changes in physicochemical properties and microbiological activity. The results revealed a substantial reduction in TPH concentrations, with remediation efficiency reaching up to 96%, thereby reducing contamination levels to within regulatory standards. Furthermore, the remediation process enhanced microbial population density and improved soil nutrient balance, indicating the capability of CLOGEN to restore ecological functionality in hydrocarbon-impacted soils. Overall, the findings demonstrate that CLOGEN is an effective and environmentally sustainable remediation agent for petroleum-polluted environments in the Niger Delta.

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