Phytoremediation of Crude Oil Pollution: A Mini Review

Abstract

Crude oil pollution severely impacts ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss, water contamination, and soil degradation. These environmental disruptions pose significant risks to human and wildlife health while threatening long-term ecological balance. Phytoremediation, an eco-friendly and cost-effective strategy, utilizes plants to remediate crude oil-contaminated environments. Key mechanisms employed in this process include phytoextraction, phytovolatilization, phytotransformation, phytostabilization, and rhizodegradation. Recent innovations in biotechnology have further enhanced the effectiveness of phytoremediation through genetically modified (GM) plants engineered for improved pollutant uptake, degradation, and resilience to toxic conditions. This mini-review explores the principles, recent advancements, and potential applications of plant-based bioremediation strategies, highlighting their critical role in addressing crude oil pollution sustainably.