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Advancements in Composting Technologies for Efficient Soil Remediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): A Mini Review

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  • Tony Hadibarata

    (Environmental Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, CDT 250, Miri 98009, Malaysia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Muhammad Syafrudin

    (Department of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Norma Latif Fitriyani

    (Department of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea)

  • Seung Won Lee

    (Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
    Department of Metabiohealth, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
    Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy Research Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
    Department of Artificial Intelligence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

The release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the environment has become a serious concern with rapidly increasing human activities. PAHs are one of the hazardous pollutants generated primarily from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, industrial emissions, and the expenditure of vehicles. These toxic compounds are very dangerous to ecosystems and human health due to being persistent, bioaccumulative, and carcinogenic. Composting is considered a form of bioremediation for eliminating PAHs in contaminated soils. The method utilizes microbial communities to break down organic pollutants and is low-cost and environmentally friendly. The efficiency factor depends on many aspects, including soil pH, oxygen, temperature provision, and the diversity of microbes, among others. Thermophilic conditions help in the decomposition of both low- and high-molecular-weight PAHs. This paper focuses on the effectiveness of composting as a bioremediation technology for remediating PAH-contaminated soils and its impact on the environment and human health. Due to its safety and high efficiency, composting should be improved and prioritized for its widespread application as a principal remediation technology for PAH pollution at the earliest opportunity.

Suggested Citation

  • Tony Hadibarata & Muhammad Syafrudin & Norma Latif Fitriyani & Seung Won Lee, 2025. "Advancements in Composting Technologies for Efficient Soil Remediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): A Mini Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:5881-:d:1688005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Edgar Ricardo Oviedo-Ocaña & Angelica Hernández-Gómez & Isabel Dominguez & Brayan Alexis Parra-Orobio & Jonathan Soto-Paz & Antoni Sánchez, 2022. "Evaluation of Co-Composting as an Alternative for the Use of Agricultural Waste of Spring Onions, Chicken Manure and Bio-Waste Produced in Moorland Ecosystems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-14, July.
    2. Elena Elisabeta Manea & Costel Bumbac & Laurentiu Razvan Dinu & Marius Bumbac & Cristina Mihaela Nicolescu, 2024. "Composting as a Sustainable Solution for Organic Solid Waste Management: Current Practices and Potential Improvements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-25, July.
    3. Ruiyuan Zhang & Youqi Wang & Yuhan Zhang & Yiru Bai, 2023. "Distribution, Sources, and Health Risk of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Farmland Soil of Helan, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-17, December.
    4. Gabriela Robles-Mora & Josefina Barrera-Cortés & Lucila Valdez-Castro & Omar Solorza-Feria & César García-Díaz, 2021. "Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Sorption by Functionalized Humic Acids Immobilized in Micro- and Nano-Zeolites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-17, September.
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