ABSTRACT
A comprehensive review of the current knowledge on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in soil is presented, focusing on pesticides listed in the Stockholm Convention. We provide an overview of the physical and chemical properties of 11 POP pesticides, including aldrin, chlordane, dicofol, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, lindane, mirex, toxaphene, and DDT. The literature highlights the criteria used to denote a soil as contaminated, which vary by country and end use. We also discuss the formation of by-products of POP pesticides, including biotransformation and chemical processes. A range of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, have been identified as capable of degrading various POP pesticides, such as aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, chlordane, dicofol, heptachlor, lindane, and mirex. The degradation pathways and products of these processes are reviewed, as well as chemical methods for destruction of these pesticides. The review aims to provide a wide-ranging perspective on the current state of knowledge on POP pesticides in soil and to identify areas for future research. The implications of the degradation of POP pesticides by microorganisms for bioremediation of contaminated soil are also discussed.
