review · Frontiers in Environmental Science
Petroleum hydrocarbon spills from industrial processes and everyday human activities represent a leading cause of soil pollution in urban and industrial settings globally. Bioremediation using living microorganisms provides a route for mineralising these toxic residues to ensure environmental safety and effective site management. Among the diverse organisms investigated, fungal species within the Aspergillus genus alongside bacterial groups from the Proteobacteria and Firmicutes phyla demonstrate the greatest efficiency in breaking down petroleum pollutants in soil. Successful remediation depends on understanding intricate degradation pathways and addressing key operational limiting factors. Recent technological advancements continue to drive the field forward, but achieving complete pollutant destruction remains a central hurdle. Clarifying degradation mechanisms alongside establishing flexible regulatory standards for genetically engineered microbes are identified as necessary steps to make hydrocarbon bioremediation economically viable and sustainable.
Petroleum pollution damages soil across urban centres and industrial facilities, creating hazards for ecosystems and human safety. Exploring how natural microbes break down persistent oil contaminants helps guide cleaner, nature-based decontamination efforts. Outlining degradation mechanisms and addressing legislative barriers around advanced microbes supports the development of more affordable and permanent solutions for restoring polluted land.
This research informs environmental remediation firms and oil processing industries seeking biological treatments for polluted soil. Potential applications centre on deploying formulations based on efficient degrader groups including Aspergillus, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes. While standard microbial bioremediation is an applied technology, the commercialisation of advanced interventions based on genetically engineered strains remains at an earlier stage, constrained by technical hurdles around complete degradation and the need for more flexible regulatory frameworks.
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Petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) are key energy sources for several industries and daily life. Soil contamination from oily PHC spills is commonly detected in cities and industrial facilities where crude oil is used. The release of PHC pollutants into the environment, whether accidentally from petroleum industries or human activities, has become a leading source of soil pollution. Consequently, the mineralization of PHC-polluted sites has become a central issue worldwide. Although bioremediation is imperative for environmental safety and management, several approaches have been developed for PHC bioremediation. However, much remains to be explored in this regard. This review explores bioremediation of PHC-contaminated soil and provides a comprehensive examination of the principles, degradation mechanisms, and recent advancements in the field. Several microbial species have been used to study the bioremediation of PHCs, emphasizing the pivotal roles of diverse microbial communities. Aspergillus spp., Proteobacteria , and Firmicutes groups of microorganisms were the most efficient in remediating PHC-contaminated soil. The fundamental concepts behind the bioremediation of PHC and the complex mechanisms that govern degradation were elucidated. Limiting factors in the bioremediation process and recent innovations propelling the field were also discussed. Therefore, understanding the degradation pathway, ensuring complete degradation of contaminants, and flexible legislation for the proper use of genetically engineered microbes can make bioremediation more sustainable and cost-effective.
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DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1354422
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