Application of immobilized microbial technology in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated soil remediation

Immobilized microbial technology is considered as an effective and environmentally friendly technology for the remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-contaminated soil. With this technology, microorganisms are protected from the surrounding harsh environment so that functional microorganisms remain active in PAHs-contaminated soil for a long time, overcoming the problems of low efficiency and long cycle of traditional microbial remediation. The current status of soil PAHs pollution in China and common bioremediation technologies were introduced. The current research status of immobilized microbial technology and the important factors affecting bacterial immobilization were summarized from carrier materials, PAHs-degrading bacteria and immobilization conditions. The remediation mechanisms of PAHs-contaminated soil with immobilized microbial technology were analyzed from soil environment, microbial community and adsorption-degradation process. Finally, the problems of immobilized microbial technology in the remediation of PAHs-contaminated soil were summarized and future research prospects were proposed from carrier materials, functional microorganisms, immobilization methods, evaluation systems, ecological risks and practical applications.