Abstract

One major problem facing the petroleum industry today is to find an acceptable approach to manage oily sludge generated during the petroleum processes. Scented Geraniums (Pelargonium sp. 'Frensham') have demonstrated a great ability to survive rough conditions (poor soil, high/low temperatures, high heavy metals concentrations, low water content, etc.). Subsequently, an investigation using Scented Geraniums was performed in a series of pots containing oily sludge where heavy metal concentrations were artificially increased up to 2000 ppm. In a period of 50 days, plants were grown in two systems: (1) oily sludge-soil, and (2) oily sludge-soil-compost. The study took place in greenhouse facilities under the following parameters: 12 h light, 28--34/20{493}C temperature day/night, and around 30 to 40% relative humidity. During the investigation period, soil was sampled periodically and subjected to physico-chemical analyses. The results showed differences related to the sludge system and type of heavy metal.