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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Hydrocarbon- and metal-polluted soil bioremediation: progress and challenges

Maria Kuyukina A B C , Anastasiya Krivoruchko A B and Irina Ivshina A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia

B Perm State University, Perm, Russia

C Tel: + 7 342 280 8114, Email: kuyukina@iegm.ru

Microbiology Australia 39(3) 133-136 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA18041
Published: 7 August 2018

Abstract

The problem of soil contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals is becoming particularly acute for large oil-producing countries, like the Russian Federation. Both hydrocarbon and metal contaminants impact negatively the soil biota and human health, thus requiring efficient methods for their detoxification and elimination. Bioremediation of soil co-contaminated with hydrocarbon and metal pollutants is complicated by the fact that, although the two components must be treated differently, they mutually affect the overall removal efficiency. Heavy metals are reported to inhibit biodegradation of hydrocarbons by interfering with microbial enzymes directly involved in biodegradation or through the interaction with enzymes involved in general metabolism. Here we discuss recent progress and challenges in bioremediation of soils co-contaminated with hydrocarbons and heavy metals, focusing on selecting metal-resistant biodegrading strains and biosurfactant amendments.


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