ABSTRACT
Soil contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) is carcinogenic, recalcitrant, and can have detrimental biological and environmental effects. In this context, phytoremediation has emerged as a cost-effective, green bioremediation technology that uses plants and microorganisms to remediate PAH-contaminated soils. This chapter introduces basic concepts, mechanisms, and underlying factors; and addresses: (i) research status in the remediation of soil contaminated sites; (ii) hurdles during large-scale usage of phytoremediation; (iii) restoration of damaged ecosystems; and (iv) future prospects.
