Plant-Based Phytoremediation of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils; A Review

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 cost-effective 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.