Article overview
Abstract
Soil contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons remains a widespread
environmental challenge in oil-producing and industrial regions, where it poses
serious threats to ecosystems, agricultural productivity, and human health. In
recent years, plant-based phytoremediation has emerged as a sustainable and costeffective approach for managing hydrocarbon-polluted soils. This review
synthesises evidence from experimental and field-based studies assessing the
ability of selected plant species to enhance the degradation and stabilisation of
petroleum hydrocarbons in contaminated environments. Findings from pot
experiments and field trials indicate that plant species such as Mimosa pudica,
Jatropha curcas, and Vetiveria zizanioides are capable of significantly reducing
total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations while sustaining growth under
polluted conditions. The effectiveness of phytoremediation is closely linked to
extensive root systems, stimulation of rhizosphere microbial communities, and
dynamic plant–soil–microbe interactions that promote hydrocarbon breakdown.
The use of soil amendments and organic materials further enhances remediation
efficiency by improving microbial activity and soil structure. Although
remediation rates may be slower under conditions of severe contamination, the
overall evidence consistently supports phytoremediation as an environmentally
friendly alternative to conventional remediation technologies. This review
highlights plant-based phytoremediation as a promising strategy for sustainable
environmental management of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, particularly in
developing regions where low-cost, locally adaptable solutions are essential.
Keywords: Phytoremediation, Hydrocarbons, Mimosa pudica, Jatropha curcas,
Vetiveria zizanioides, Sustainable environmental management, Soil remediation.
Keywords
Phytoremediation, Hydrocarbons, Mimosa pudica, Jatropha curcas, Vetiveria zizanioides, Sustainable environmental management, Soil remediation.
Correspondenceismailali85a85@gmail.com
ORCID iDhttps://gsasrpublisher.com/journals
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