Phytoremediation in mangrove sediments impacted by persistent total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH’s) using Avicennia schaueriana

Abstract This study evaluated the efficiency of Avicennia schaueriana in the implementation of phytoremediation compared with intrinsic bioremediation in mangrove sediments contaminated by total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs). The experiment was conducted for 3 months at a pilot scale under conditions similar to a mangrove: the dynamics of the tides were simulated, and physical, chemical, microbiological and biogeochemical parameters were monitored. After the 90 days, it was found that the phytoremediation was more efficient in the degradation of the TPHs compared to bioremediation, reducing the initial concentration of 32.2–4.2 mg/g. A. schaueriana was also more efficient in mediating the degradation of different fractions of hydrocarbons, achieving a removal efficiency of 87%. The microbiological results consisted of a higher growth in the model with the plants, demonstrating the phytostimulation ability of the plants. Finally, the experiment showed that phytoremediation is a promising alternative in mangrove impacted by oil.