Characterization of Cocoyam Peels Biochar for Remediation of Crude Oil Polluted Soils

Soil contamination is a growing environmental concern in Nigeria due to industrial, agricultural, and mining activities and this has posed serious ecological and health risks, yet conventional remediation methods remain costly and unsustainable. This study is significant because it provides a cost-effective and sustainable approach to tackling soil contamination by transforming cocoyam peels, an underutilized agricultural waste, into biochar for remediation purposes. In this study, cocoyam peels biochar (adsorbent) was produced and characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). 10.0 g of the adsorbent was applied to 1000 g of crude oil-polluted soil. The physicochemical properties of the soil before and after remediation were determined using a multimeter. The FTIR result revealed the presence of the C=O, C–H, O=C=O, OH, and C=C functional groups. SEM showed a porous microstructure with well-developed cavities and micropores, providing an extensive surface area for pollutant binding. Results of physicochemical parameters obtained were; pH 5.8, Electrical conductivity (EC) 2144 µS/cm, ambient temperature 29.0 °C, and Total dissolved solids (TDS) 1132 mg/L. Cocoyam peels biochar increased the activities of indigenous microbes which in turn reduced Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) to 50% thereby making it a promising, cost-effective, and sustainable material for the immobilization of pollutants in contaminated soils.