ZHAO-XUAN JIANG ^*

• National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

The degradation/transformation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in nature has garnered increasing attention in current research. This is primarily due to the recognized toxicity, carcinogenicity, and mutagenicity of PAHs, as well as their widespread presence in ecosystems, which can have diverse adverse impacts on human health. The removal of PAHs is primarily governed by physicochemical processes such as adsorption, photolysis, and oxidation. Additionally, biotechnology utilizing a various array of microorganisms have been extensively employed in this field of study. With the development of technology, a wide range of bacteria capable of degrading PAHs have shown significant potential. However, the constraints associated with using a single bacterial species have resulted in incomplete degradation. Therefore, further research is necessary to facilitate the establishment of a more robust symbiotic relationship between microorganisms. This will enhance the efficiency of interactions among microorganisms, improve their capacity to degrade PAHs, and enhance the removal of persistent organic compounds. Optimizing specific factors, such as pH, temperature, nutrients, and media, is believed to improve the development of microbial symbiotic systems and decrease the vulnerability of individual species in the degradation and remediation processes. The primary aim of this review is to outline the existing remediation technologies for PAH contamination. It also aims to offer a detailed explanation of the effectiveness of microbial assemblages and degradation mechanisms, along with suggesting the optimization of different factors within the culture system to enhance the degradation efficiency of PAHs. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the latest developments in the field of bioremediation of PAHs in the ecosystem.