Ogugua V.N., Egolum C.C., Onyike N.B., Onwurah I.N.E.
Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Enugu State, Nigeria; Department of Estate Management, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State, Nigeria; Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Abia State University, Abia State, Nigeria; Polluti
Ogugua, V.N., Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Enugu State, Nigeria; Egolum, C.C., Department of Estate Management, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State, Nigeria; Onyike, N.B., Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Abia State University, Abia State, Nigeria; Onwurah, I.N.E., Pollution Control and Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Enugu State, Nigeria
Evaluating the compensation payable to farmers whose farms/farmlands have been rendered unproductive due to oil spill requires adequate scientific research and improved decision-making. This work proposes a bacterial-based mathematical framework as a decision-support system for evaluating crude oil spill impact on agricultural soil. The rate of 'in situ' biodegradation of the crude oil predicts the half-life of the spilled crude oil in the soil ecosystem while the inherent toxicity of the spilled oil provided the impact value (E), which was integrated into a version of Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) model referred to as Impact-Based Cost-Benefit Analysis (IBCBA) that can be used for computing the adequate compensation payable. Scientific research initiatives that may engender integrated management of crude oil-contaminated agricultural soil are highlighted. © 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
Adaptive Management; Agricultural soils; Analysis models; Biodegradation rate; Impact value; In-situ; Integrated management; Mathematical frameworks; Scientific researches; Agriculture; Biodegradation; Cost effectiveness; Crude oil; Decision support systems; Microbiology; Oil spills; Resource valuation; Soil pollution; Soils; Solid wastes; Waste management; Geologic models