ABSTRACT
Current knowledge supports that the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from soils and waters relies predominantly on biological mechanisms (1). Likewise, bioremediation strategies based on microbial degradation are presently perceived as the most advantageous for the treatment of soils, wastes, and waters with strong PAH contamination (2). Therefore, factors influencing the microbial utilization of PAHs similarly affect the rate and extent of the bioremedial treatments and the natural attenuation of these pollutants by the diverse PAH-degrading microorganisms. The ability to metabolize PAH aerobically occurs in a wide variety of bacteria (3) and Eukarya, including fungi and algae (4). The capability for anaerobic PAH degradation by bacteria was recently reported https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> ( 5,6 ) https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429080050/6559e41b-64b9-4256-96a3-5980cbb6d757/content/eq1529.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> .
