Phytoremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons

Abstract

Petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in the environment is a public health concern as some compositions in petroleum hydrocarbons exert adverse effects on living organisms. Several methods have been used to reduce petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated sites. Among these methods, phytoremediation is an effective and environmental friendly method to decontaminate petroleum hydrocarbons in soils. Plants use three mechanisms to remove petroleum hydrocarbons from the environment, including phytodegradation, phytoaccumulation, and rhizodegradation