The Potentials of Some Herbaceous Plant Species for Restoration of Oil Polluted Coastal Areas

• Published in: Journal of coastal research Vol. SI; no. 64; pp. 908 - 911
• Main Authors: Kim, K. D., Jung, T. Y., Kim, H. N., Jo, S. H., Ku, N. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Fort Lauderdale COASTAL EDUCATION & RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. [CERF] 01.01.2011; Allen Press Inc
• Subjects: Aquatic plants; Chlorophyll; Chlorophylls; Coastal areas; Coastal Hazards and Pollution; Coastal zone; Coasts; Ecosystems; Flowers & plants; Oil pollution; Oil spills; Phragmites australis; Plant species; Pollution; Regrowth; Restoration; Roots; Seedlings; Soil pollution; Soil treatment; Soils; Stems; Tap water
• ISSN: 0749-0208; 1551-5036

Several oil spill events have destructed the coastal areas in South Korea. We found oil polluted coastal wetlands dominated by Phragmites australis near Sogenginsung in Tae-An Peninsula. At first year oil polluted, populations of the two species declined. But shoots of Phragmites australis grew again at second year oil polluted. The permanent twenty m² sized quadrats were established at 4 sites (2 controls and 2 oil polluted area). We measured height and chlorophyll contents using chlorophyll meter of 30 individuals at each site. Dry weights of leaves and stems were measured after cutting. Dry weights of stems and leaves at control were significantly greater than those at oil polluted area. The height of Phragmites australis at control was significantly greater than those at oil polluted area whereas the chlorophyll content showed vice versa pattern. Re-growth of Phragmites australis at oil polluted coastal area showed this species can play a role in remediate oil polluted soils. We suggest that Phragmites australis is a potential species to restore oil polluted coastal area. We also investigated the growth and response of 16 herbaceous plant species to soil treatments for selections of adaptable species to soil pollution by oils and their applications to restore oil polluted areas. In springtime, 2009, we sampled seedlings of 16 herbaceous plant species at Tae-An coastal areas, Sampled seedlings were transported into the green house with natural light and planted within vermiculate laden pots with 5 individuals per species. After one month with sufficient adaptations and rooting, we treated all pots with control (tap water), 7.15 ml/L (diesel/soil), 14.28 ml/L (diesel/soil), 10.70 ml/L (kerosene/soil), 21.43 ml/L (kerosene/soil). In fall, 2009, we measured the height and chlorophyll content of all individuals. We measured the weights of stems and roots by electric scales. The study results demonstrated that the height, weight of stems and roots and chlorophyll content of all individuals treated with oils were significantly different and less than those of all individuals treated with tap waters. As a result of this study, the four herbaceous plant species are recommended for restoring oil polluted areas.