Bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contaminated soils: recent progress, perspectives and challenges

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment 2023-12, Vol.195 (12), p.1441-1441, Article 1441
• Main Authors: K, Sumathi, Manian, Rameshpathy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air flow; Aromatic compounds; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biodiversity; Bioremediation; Breakdown; Carbon dioxide; Carcinogenicity; Carcinogens; Contaminants; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental Monitoring; Fungi; Humans; Metabolites; Microorganisms; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Mutagenicity; Nutrient availability; Petroleum hydrocarbons; Pollution control; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; Population growth; Restoration; Review; Scientific research; Soil; Soil characteristics; Soil contamination; Soil Microbiology; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil pollution; Soils; Toxic substances; Toxicity
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-12042-7

The life of all creatures is supported directly or indirectly by soil, which is a significant environmental matrix. The soil has been polluted partly due to increased human activities and population growth, releasing several foreign substances and persistent contaminants. When toxic substances like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are disposed of, the characteristics of the soil are changed, microbial biodiversity is impacted, and items are destroyed. Because of the mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and toxicity of petroleum hydrocarbons, the restoration and cleanup of PAH-polluted areas represent a severe technological and environmental challenge for long-term growth and development. Although there are several ways to clean up PAH-contaminated soils, much attention is paid to intriguing bacteria, fungus, and their enzymes. Various factors influence PAH breakdown, including pH, temperature, airflow, moisture level, nutrient availability, and degrading microbial populations. This review discusses how PAHs affect soil characteristics and shows that secondary metabolite and carbon dioxide decomposition are produced due to microbial breakdown processes. Furthermore, the advantages of bioremediation strategies were assessed for correct evaluation and considered dependable on each legislative and scientific research level, as analyzed in this review.