Bioremediation is vital in environmental management and protection. This study examined the productivity and bioremediation potential of Nannochloropsis oculata and Porphyridium cruentum in Water Soluble Fraction (WSF) of petroleum fuels. Experiment was conducted by examining the growth of Nannochloropsis oculata and Porphyridium cruentum at 0%, 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 75% 100% of WSF of kerosene, diesel, and gasoline. Growth was monitored optically every two days for fourteen days using 721 Visible Spectrophotometer. Productivity was measured using prescribed procedure. Bioremediation potential of the test algae in 100% WSF of the different petroleum fuels were examined using standard method for the GC analysis of diesel range organics. The minimum growth for both species was recorded at 100% in all the fuels. The maximum growth of Porphyridium cruentum was obtained at 10% in all fuels, while the maximum growth of Nannochloropsis oculata was obtained at 30% in both kerosene and gasoline and at 50% in diesel. In Porphyridium cruentum, there was growth reduction with increase in concentration of WSF of the fuels. Whereas Porphyridium cruentum was greatly inhibited by all fuels and concentrations, Nannochloropsis oculata was stimulated at lower concentration of fuels. Nannochloropsis oculata was highly productive, while the productivity of Porphyridium cruentum was severely affected by the fuels. Nannochloropsis oculata proved efficient for bioremediation of the petroleum polluted sea water and should be subjected to further examination.

Keywords: Bioremediation, Petroleum, Algae, Marine, Environment, Pollution