Plant Extracts as an Effective Solution to Mitigate Marine Pollution
Pollution in the marine environment has become a serious problem and the removal of pollutants from the sea has become a topic of great interest to researchers. In this regard, this paper attempts to examine the potential of plant extracts to act as anti- polluting agents of marine environment without degrading its flora and fauna. The present paper focuses on the use of the MSL formula and investigates its efficiency as a natural herder for the reduction of organic matter (including hydrocarbons) in marine waters. Tests for toxicity, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) removal, degradation and dispersant efficiency, as well as microbiological tests, were performed using the MSL product as the plant extract based formula (made up of 89 per cent plant extract solution, 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide and 8 per cent of Isopropyl alcohol). Furthermore, four different parameters such as COD, BOD, TPH and FOG were analyzed in order to determine the effectiveness of the MSL formula. The present study has determined that the safe administration of the product will not affect aquatic life and hence this plant extract based formula will not function/behave as a polluting agent. The effectiveness of the MSL product was studied on site against different organic compounds by monitoring its activity and effects in the context of the Ayia Napa Port Project. Consequently, biodegradation test indicated that the maximum degradation rate of the mixture of the MSL and Arabian crude oil was 90.48 % after 96 hours of activity. The results demonstrate that plant extract formulas such as the MSL formula have the potential to act as eco- friendly, biodegradable, non-toxic, and cost-effective alternatives to be utilized in restoration strategies and cleanup operations in marine environments.
