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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Management of Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India, Vice-Chancellor, Management, and Dean of SBST. We are also thankful to all our laboratory colleagues and research staff members for their constructive advice and help.

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  1. Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University: Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India

    Sumathi K & Rameshpathy Manian

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  1. Sumathi K
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S.K: conceptualization; writing, original draft; validation; visualization.

M.R: investigation; writing, original draft; validation; visualization; supervision; project administration

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Correspondence to Rameshpathy Manian.

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K, S., Manian, R. Bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contaminated soils: recent progress, perspectives and challenges. Environ Monit Assess 195, 1441 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-12042-7

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