Microbial Degradation of Hydrocarbons in Marine Ecosystems: A Review of Recent Advances

During the last decade, increasing attention has been directed toward environmental pollution caused by petroleum and petrochemical products. Oil contamination is a major contributor to soil and water pollution and poses serious risks to ecosystems and human health. Traditional treatment methods have been widely used to remove hydrocarbon contaminants; however, many of these approaches are expensive and environmentally harmful. Bioremediation has emerged as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative. This method uses naturally occurring microorganisms to reduce the toxicity and concentration of pollutants, including both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. Several bacterial strains are capable of degrading petroleum-derived compounds. Because of its affordability and potential for complete mineralization, bioremediation is considered a promising strategy for restoring contaminated environments.Biodegradation, the core process of bioremediation, involves the breakdown of organic pollutants into carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and microbial biomass, or their transformation into simpler organic molecules. Many naturally occurring microbes in soil and aquatic environments can degrade hydrocarbon pollutants. This review summarizes recent developments in microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in different environments.