Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Degradation Techniques: A Review

Abstract

The demand for processed petroleum products and agricultural produce has exposed our environment to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination. PAHs stick to solid sediments and are ubiquitous including soil, water and air. Their presence in these media creates problems because consuming products obtained from these sources could be deleterious to human health since several of these compounds (benz(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene etc) have been implicated in causing tumors in animals and cancer in humans. The present review describes several remediation techniques which are efficient and cost effective in removing PAHs from the environment. Some of these conventional clean-up methods are not only environmental friendly; they also present a novel approach in reducing the ability of PAHs to cause prospective risk to humans and the ecosystem.

Effect of selenium application on some oxidoreductive enzymes in loamy sand contaminated with diesel oil

“…2). Ukiwe et al [21] reported that petroleum products could inhibit nitrate reduction in soil. Furthermore, Acuna et al [22] have shown that nitrogen deficiency in soils produced a decrease in the microbial biomass, which might have reduced hydrocarbon biodegradation.…”

Investigation of photocatalytic activity of pure strontium hydroxyapatite and its Ti-substituted and TiO2 loaded forms

“…Most of these methods are associated with consumption of chemical reagents, incomplete removal of pollutants and production of waste products [2]. Integrated processes combining the above mentioned methods tested for decolorization of textile effluents are found to be of limited use [3].…”

Physical-Chemical Study of Anthracene Selective Oxidation by a Fe(III)-Phenylporhyrin Derivative

“…Nowadays polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) originate from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels are an important researching subject, from the environmental point of view, PAH are very important since they are involved in metabolic processes that affect human health [1,2]. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are an emerging class of endogenous, highly reactive, oxygen molecules, these species can originate oxidation reactions of PAH, main ROS involve singlet oxygen and oxygen free radicals such as hydroxyl radical (HO • ), superoxide anion (O 2 −• ), hydroperoxyl (HOO • ) or other similar radicals [3,4].…”