Range Finding Test of Hydrocarbon on Scirpus mucronatus as Preliminary Test for Phytotoxicity of Contaminated Soil

Phytotoxicity is used to determine the maximum concentration of contaminant effect on plant growth in diesel fuel-contaminated soil. Range finding test is the first step that must be done to determine the concentration that the plant can survive in any contaminated soil. In this study, range finding test was conducted using Scirpus mucronatus to determine the maximum concentration of hydrocarbon that the species can survive. The test was conducted through a batch system, with each container containing media and three plants. The media used was spiked sand with dissolved diesel fuel in acetone of concentrations 0, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 50, 100, and 200 g/kg. Spiked sand was left for 2 weeks to homogenize the diesel and evaporate the acetone. Since the plants used were emergent plants, the containers contained 3L of de-ionized water. After 30 days of exposure, 33.3% of plants had withered in 5 and 10 g/kg; 66.6% in 15, 20, and 50 g/kg; and 100% in 100 and 200 g/kg of contaminant concentration.