Phytoremediation and bioremediation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): State of knowledge and research perspectives

This review summarizes the bioremediation and phytoremediation technologies proposed so far to detox-ify PCB-contaminated sites. A critical analysis about the potential and limits of the PCB pollution treatmentstrategies by means of plants, fungi and bacteria are elucidated, including the new insights emergedfrom recent studies on the rhizosphere potential and on the implementation of simultaneous aerobicand anaerobic biodegradation processes.The review describes the biodegradation and phytoremediation processes and elaborates on theenvironmental variables affecting contaminant degradation rates, summarizing the amendments rec-ommended to enhance PCB degradation. Additionally, issues connected with PCB toxicology, actual fieldremediation strategies and economical evaluation are discussed.