Abstract

BIODEGRADATION OF PETROCHEMICALS: A POTENT WEAPON FOR THE CLEANUP OF ENVIRONMENT

*Preeti Singh, Dr. Ajit Pandya, Dipali Parmar

Abstract

The extensive use of petrochemicals all around the world has been taking place with the increasing urbanization of the mankind. Accidental releases of petrochemicals are of particular concern in the environment because they are Xenobiotic as well as recalcitrant. Petroleum Hydrocarbons particularly are having disastrous and catastrophic consequences, not only on the human beings but also on other biotic components of the ecosystem. Currently there are two possible ways for the remediation of petroleum-contaminated system, either physicochemical or biological methods. The physicochemical methods are very expensive especially when the amount of contaminants is very large; also it is not that very effective. Bioremediation is very propitious technology as it very economic as well as leads to complete degradation of the Petrochemicals and the end products are absolutely non-toxic. This paper furnishes a review on the nuisance caused by the petrochemical pollution and its degradation in the environment along with the perspective of understanding the degradation process under different ecosystems.

Keywords: Petrochemicals, Xenobiotic, Recalcitrant, Bioremediation