Bioremediation and Phytoremediation of Soils Polluted With Hydrocarbons: Assumptions and Comments

Abstract

The studies reported in the literature dealing with remediation of soils polluted with hydrocarbons (HCs) very often conclude that the soil was remediated by following some specific actions, microorganisms, plants or both. However, when affirming this, attention should be taken, since environmental regulations related to HCs as pollutants commonly differ from one country to another. In addition, some other research reports on remediation lack of a local environmental regulation, which could indicate the concentration of HCs, permitted in soils. The present short review highlights the importance of these concepts.