Remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated soils using microbes and nanoparticles: A review

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollution is a global concern because of their toxicity to environment and ecosystem, which induces adverse effects on plants, animals, and humans. Hydrocarbons are mainly released from natural and anthropogenic activities, such as incomplete fuel combustion, leakages in oil pipelines, and the extensive use of pesticides; PAH contaminants include petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), halogenated hydrocarbons, chlorophenols, and pesticides. Bioremediation using microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi is developing as an effective and promising technique to remediate PAHs from the environment. Owing to their remediation efficiency, this method is environmentally friendly and represents a novel approach for reducing the risk of PAHs to human health and the ecosystem. Nanoparticles may be applied in bioremediation, and will not only induce fewer toxic effects but also reduce the effective overall time and costs involved. This article provides a summary of the application of nanomaterials, bacteria, and fungi to PAH remediation; we review and briefly discuss the structure, properties, sources, fate, toxicity, and remediation approaches involved in the remediation of PAH-polluted sites.