Composting: A Low-cost Biotechnological Approach to Ameliorating Macrophyte Nuisance in Fresh Waters
Ogochukwu Ann Udume *
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria and World Bank Centre of Excellence, Centre for Oilfield Chemicals Research, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Gideon O. Abu
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Herbert Okechukwu Stanley
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), an aquatic macrophyte, is a resource that has attracted a lot of interest in recent times. The physicochemical constituents of Eichhornia crassipes have been reported in some literature to constitute high carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium including other important micro and macronutrient like potassium and zinc. These findings by scientists informed its utilization in the assemblage of animal feed, bio-energy generation, pharmaceutical industries, and biofilters. The bioconversions of this problematic plant to various products (compost, biochar, and digestate) are green inexpensive options to be considered for use in the restoration of hydrocarbon polluted sites is reviewed in the paper. In addition to crude oil pollution clean-ups, compost improves soil fertility and also increases its organic matter content. This article also shall review composting, Water Hyacinth compost applications in remediation, remediation monitoring parameters, limitations of remediation by composting technology, and the way forward.
Keywords: Water hyacinth, bioconversion, compost, bio-char, bioremediation