ABSTRACT
This chapter provides updated information on remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminants toward the better understanding of bioremediation challenges. Environmental pollution with petroleum hydrocarbons is currently a major global concern that threatens all forms of life in soil, freshwater, groundwater and marine systems. Petroleum hydrocarbons are the constituents of engine fuels, industrial solvents, and many other products and are the most widespread among the organic contaminants due to their extensive current use of oil and petroleum products throughout the world. In order to increase the efficiency of bioremediation, the addition of nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates to enhance the growth of hydrocarbonoclastic microbes is termed biostimulation. The biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons is one of the most important processes involved in the weathering and eventual removal of petroleum hydrocarbons from the environment. Immobilized cells have been used and studied for the bioremediation of numerous toxic chemicals.
