Bioremediation of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soils: A Systematic Review of Applied Technologies in the Philippines

Heavy metal contamination in soils poses a severe environmental and agricultural challenge, jeopardizing ecosystem health, food safety, and public health on a global scale. In the Philippines, where industrial and mining activities intensify these risks, sustainable remediation strategies are urgently needed. Contaminants such as copper, nickel, and lead are by-products of mining and industrial activities, posing risks to public health and agriculture. This study aims to systematically review bioremediation technologies applied to these contaminants, examining their effectiveness and limitations in the Philippine context. A systematic review methodology was employed, drawing data from relevant studies screened for relevance, quality, and applicability to the country’s environmental conditions, and focusing on quantitative results in contaminated soil areas, especially those impacted by mining. Key findings indicate that phytoremediation is the most commonly applied technique, with significant use of hyperaccumulator plants for copper and arsenic. Mycoremediation and microbial methods also show potential, although their effectiveness varies based on biological, environmental, and soil characteristics. Limitations such as limited bioavailability of metals and high variability in plant uptake capacity were noted, emphasizing the need for integrated, site-specific approaches. Hence, while bioremediation shows promise as a sustainable, cost-effective solution for heavy metal contamination, further research into plant-microbe combinations and natural chelants is essential for optimizing remediation in diverse soil and environmental contexts in the Philippines.