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Bacteria-mediated PAH degradation in soil and sediment

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Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous in the natural environment and easily accumulate in soil and sediment due to their low solubility and high hydrophobicity, rendering them less available for biological degradation. However, microbial degradation is a promising mechanism which is responsible for the ecological recovery of PAH-contaminated soil and sediment for removing these recalcitrant compounds compared with chemical degradation of PAHs. The goal of this review is to provide an outline of the current knowledge of biodegradation of PAHs in related aspects. Over 102 publications related to PAH biodegradation in soil and sediment are compiled, discussed, and analyzed. This review aims to discuss PAH degradation under various redox potential conditions, the factors affecting the biodegradation rates, degrading bacteria, the relevant genes in molecular monitoring methods, and some recent-year bioremediation field studies. The comprehensive understanding of the bioremediation kinetics and molecular means will be helpful for optimizing and monitoring the process, and overcoming its limitations in practical projects.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Hong Kong Research Grants Council for the financial support of this study (HKU7122/10E). Xiao-Ying Lu wishes to thank HKU for the postgraduate studentship.

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  1. Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, SAR, China

    Xiao-Ying Lu, Tong Zhang & Herbert Han-Ping Fang

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  1. Xiao-Ying Lu
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Correspondence to Tong Zhang.

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Lu, XY., Zhang, T. & Fang, H.HP. Bacteria-mediated PAH degradation in soil and sediment. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 89, 1357–1371 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-010-3072-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-010-3072-7

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