The Impact of Oil Pollution on the Growth of Local Plants as Bioindicators for Assessing Environmental Pollution Effects

The study investigates the environmental impact of oil pollution in the vicinity of the Dora Refinery, with a particular focus on its effects on local flora. The research utilizes selected plant species such as Salvia rosmarinus, Eucalyptus globulus, Ficus nitida, Conocarpus lancifolius, Nerium, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Dodonaea viscosa as biological indicators to assess the extent of contamination and the plants’ adaptive responses to polluted conditions. Oil pollution is identified as a significant environmental issue in the Dora Refinery area, contributing to severe soil degradation and posing challenges to plant survival. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the physiological and biochemical responses of these plant species to oil-contaminated soils, including growth performance, stress response mechanisms, and their potential role in environmental monitoring and land reclamation. The methodology involved selecting both polluted and non-polluted sites in proximity to the refinery. Soil samples were collected from these locations and used to cultivate the target plant species under controlled conditions. Growth rates were recorded, and several biomarkers associated with oil pollution exposure were analyzed. These included measurements of soil hydrocarbon content, chlorophyll concentration, antioxidant enzyme activities, and the accumulation of heavy metals and hydrocarbon pollutants in plant tissues. Results revealed that plants grown in polluted soils exhibited significantly reduced growth rates compared to those in uncontaminated environments. Notably, Salvia rosmarinus and Dodonaea viscosa demonstrated substantial accumulation of hydrocarbon pollutants, indicating their high sensitivity to contamination. In contrast, Eucalyptus globulus and Conocarpus lancifolius showed greater resilience, maintaining relatively stable growth and physiological parameters under stress. Polluted plants also exhibited clear signs of environmental stress, including decreased chlorophyll content and elevated antioxidant enzyme activity, reflecting their biochemical response to oxidative stress induced by pollutants. These findings suggest that the studied species vary in their tolerance to oil pollution, making them valuable bioindicators for environmental assessment. In conclusion, the physiological traits of these plant species significantly influence their susceptibility to oil pollutants. Their differential responses provide critical insights for environmental monitoring programs and offer promising avenues for the development of phytoremediation and land management strategies in oil-contaminated regions.