Overviews of Biodegradation of PAHs and In situ Remediation of PAHs-contaminated Sediment

Sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( PAHs) and their pathways into sediments of various water bodies are described and mechanism of PAHs degradation by microorganism in benthic environment, where PAHs serve as a solo carbon source of the microorganism is reviewed. Technologies of in situ remediation of PAHs-contaminated sediment, which often involves introducing efficient microorganism, providing electronic acceptor, nutrient and surfactant are briefly introduced. Based on the analysis of drawbacks of the remediation technologies available, some suggestions for further study such as degradation mechanism of high-molecular-weight PAHs, use of genic control technique and the relationship between PAHs degradation and environmental factors, as well as the monitoring, risk assessment and effectiveness evaluation in association with the sediment remediation were put forward.