Synthesis of a nanomaterial using peppermint (mentha arvensis) and its response to oil-contaminated soil: an organic chemistry perspective and nano applications

Soil contamination by oil products such as heavy oil, hydrocarbons, or radioactive isotopes, especially around industrial complexes like the Baghdad-headquartered Central Oil Company, poses severe environmental and health risks. The present research seeks to utilize the green and environmentally friendly frontier of nanotechnology to decontaminate such pollutants using ZnO-NPs synthesized from the alcoholic extract of Mentha arvensis. Soil samples were taken from the sites of oil waste and studied. The soil in the contaminated locations reflected high contents of lead and cadmium, indicating the effect of industrial contamination and oil residues, and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) at high concentrations, reflecting the impact of oil contamination on the environment. There were high contents of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and aliphatic hydrocarbons, which are critical parameters for environmental oil pollution assessment. Significant changes in the physical and chemical properties of soil due to oil pollution have occurred. The bulk density of contaminated soil has been greater, and the void volume has decreased, which negatively impacts the aeration and water-holding capacity of the soil. This has also affected the mineral composition of the soil, which may reduce the capacity of the soil to support microbial and plant life. Changes in such ways have extreme consequences for plant development, particularly in regions with advanced hydrocarbon pollution. Remediation of the pollutants in contaminated soil was performed using Mentha arvensis-mediated ZnO-NPs. The characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles was performed using some analysis techniques such as, FTIR, EDX, and SEM. The obtained ZnO-NPs were utilized in the remediation of oil-contaminated soil. Different concentrations of ZnO-NPs were employed to examine the effects on remediation process. After treating the soil with ZnO-NPs, the changing concentrations of hydrocarbons were measured with GC-MS. At last, Risk Quotient (RQ) analysis also performed by using environmental risk assessment. Overall, in this study Mentha arvensis-mediated ZnO-NPs synthesized with a green synthesis method. The results showed that these nanoparticles are successfully decrease the concentration of the hydrocarbons arises from oil contamination in soil. This combined approach represents a green, environmentally friendly solution for soil remediation, promoting both chemical and biological detoxification. Gradual decomposition information also indicates that ZnO-NPs provided a sustained effect in the removal of oil contamination from soil, with pollutants decreasing progressively.