The application of molecular biology-based microbial remediation technologies in petroleum polluted environments

Abstract:

Owing to human activities and industrial production, petroleum pollution has become a serious environmental issue. Microbial remediation technology, characterized by its eco-friendly characteristics, has drawn significant attention in petroleum pollution remediation. The application of molecular biology technology has led to a drastic revolution in microbial remediation technology, providing resources for the development of highly efficient degrading agents. However, limitations such as the lack of precision in species annotation and the limited detection sensitivity still exist. Other microbial remediation technologies also have substantial potential in enhancing the degradation efficiency of petroleum pollutants and reducing their environmental harm, especially biosurfactants and bio-stimulants, which offer relatively shorter remediation periods and lower costs, promising large-scale application in the future. Moreover, the combination of molecular biology and other microbial remediation technologies may become an effective tool for petroleum pollutant degradation. This review summarized the application of molecular biology methods in petroleum polluted environments, reviewed the recent research progress on microbial remediation techniques for petroleum-contaminated sites, discussed the remediation effects of these microbial remediation techniques, and proposed the future development direction of microbial remediation technology.