Hydrocarbon toxicity with lettuce, onion and radish seeds

Soil and water contamination has been increasing as a result of the exploitation, refining, distribution, and storage of crude oil and its derivatives. As of 2004, the volume of accidental spills of oil and its derivatives was estimated at 1.5 million tons per year, affecting soil, water, and atmosphere (SEMARNAT, 2004 cited by Ferrera et al. 2006). These are dangerous for biota, man and environmental deterioration in general. Several reactions take place in the soil that will determine its speed and resistance time related to its biogeochemical cycle.