Nano-Enhanced Microbial Remediation of PAHs Contaminated Soil

Abstract

The emergence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources, such as coal gasification and liquefaction plants, coke and aluminum production, catalytic cracking towers, and motor vehicle exhaust, among others, results in significant soil pollution, and a threat to human health, igniting a surge of interest in advanced research. Even though the cleanup of PAHs-contaminated areas received a great consideration. In the last decade, nanotechnology has exploded in popularity as a result of several unique properties of nanomaterials, and remediation is no exception. Thus, nano-enhanced bioremediation reported to act as a viable and effective strategy for PAHs remediation. Further, the integration of nano-enabled materials with microorganisms emerged as a promising biodegradation approach for PAHs remediation. As a result, the focus of this mini review is on depicting the possible roles of various nanomaterials in decontaminating PAHs as a green strategy by boosting the efficacy of microbial functionality, and mechanism of nanoparticles-microbes interaction in PAHs degradation. The future perspective of nano-enhanced microbial remediation of PAHs in realistic environments are also discussed.