Strategies for remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in contaminated soil: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are pervasive organic pollutants in the environment. PAHs originate from natural and anthropogenic sources, and are associated with incomplete combustion of organic matter. PAHs can pose a substantial health risk, including teratogenicity, immune suppression, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. Several studies explored PAHs remediation using varied methods, each with merits and drawbacks. This review compiles diverse methods, offering an overview of multidimensional approaches for remediating PAH-contaminated soils, with a particular emphasis on hybrid technique. The exploration comprehends physical techniques like thermal desorption and electrokinetic remediation, chemical methods including oxidation and photocatalytic remediation, and biological approaches such as phytoremediation and microbial degradation. The integration of these diverse methods reflects a holistic and sustainable approach to address the challenges posed by PAHs-polluted sites. Phytoremediation is eco-sustainable, cost-effective, but time-consuming, while hybrid approaches offer enhanced PAH removal in short time. In comparison to microbial degradation and advanced computational methods, thermal and electrokinetic methods are costly and less eco-friendly. Research in PAHs remediation is increasingly leaning towards the following sequence: hybrid methods < chemical/physical methods < biological methods. Focusing on hybrid remediation, the physical-chemical methods hold the highest research prevalence at 53 %, followed by chemical-biological at 37 %, and the least in the physical-biological category at 10 %. This review advocates for hybrid remediation methods, which can serve as a bridge between environmental sustainability and remediation efficiency. Challenges remain in optimizing these technologies, ensuring economic feasibility, and connecting knowledge gaps. Future research may prioritize on remediation proficiency with innovation, and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.