A systematic review of remediation tools for contaminated sites - Current perspectives and future prospects

Globally, millions of contaminated sites affect soil and groundwater, posing serious risks to human health, ecosystems, and sustainable development. This study presents a systematic literature review of remediation strategies for contaminated sites, aimed at supporting researchers, policymakers, regulators, and industry practitioners involved in contaminated land assessment, remediation planning, and sustainable site management. Using PRISMA guidelines, peer reviewed literature from Scopus and Web of Science was analysed to assess remediation effectiveness, environmental impact, and practical implementation. Key challenges are identified, including mixed contaminants, site specific variability, and limited scalability of emerging technologies. Bioremediation and phytoremediation are environmentally sustainable and cost effective but constrained by slow treatment rates and shallow remediation depth. Chemical techniques such as oxidation and soil washing offer higher efficiency but involve greater resource use and potential secondary impacts. Emerging technologies, including nanotechnology, show promise but remain limited by cost and scale up barriers. Hybrid remediation approaches integrating biological and chemical methods demonstrate improved adaptability for complex sites. The review highlights the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in enhancing monitoring and adaptive decision making and emphasises the need for stronger regulatory support to align remediation practice with sustainability goals.