The resistance of Lolium perenne L. × hybridum, Poa pratensis, Festuca rubra, F. arundinacea, Phleum pratense and Dactylis glomerata to soil pollution by diesel oil and petroleum

Abstract

Resistance of common European grasses to diesel oil and petroleum pollution is not well-known. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the level of resistance of selected grasses to pollution by diesel and petroleum using the pot experiment. The achieved results were compared with those determined for grasses grown on the non-polluted soil. Soil pollution with the tested products was found to significantly decrease the yield of all grasses, with the decrease being lower upon soil pollution with petroleum than with diesel oil. The most resistant to the pollution with diesel oil and petroleum were Phleum pratense L., Lolium perenne L. and Lolium × hybridum Hausskn. The degradation of particular groups of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) depended on their chemical properties, on the type of pollutant and grass species. The greatest degradation was determined in the case of BTEX, C₆–C₁₂ benzines as well as 2- and 3-ring hydrocarbons, whereas the lowest in the case of 5-and 6-ring hydrocarbons and C₁₂–C₂₅ oils. The most useful species in the remediation of soils polluted with diesel oil and petroleum turned out to be: Lolium perenne L., Lolium × hybridum Hausskn and Phleum pratense L., whereas the least useful appeared to be: Festuca rubra, Dactylis glomerata L. and Poa pratensis L.