Research Progress and Hotspots in Microbial Remediation for Polluted Soils

Shuai Zhao, Xue-Tao Yuan (), Xiao-Hong Wang (), Yan-Jun Ai and Fu-Ping Li
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Shuai Zhao: College of Mining Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
Xue-Tao Yuan: College of Mining Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
Xiao-Hong Wang: College of Mining Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
Yan-Jun Ai: College of Mining Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
Fu-Ping Li: College of Mining Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-18

Abstract: Microbial remediation has become a prominent focus in soil pollution control due to its environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and high efficiency. The effectiveness of microbial remediation is rooted in the interactions between microbial metabolic activities and the soil environment. Various microorganisms employ distinct mechanisms for pollutant treatment, including surface adsorption, intracellular accumulation, and biomineralization. Using the Web of Science Core Collection database, tools such as CiteSpace 6.1.R6, VOSviewer 1.6.20, and HistCite Pro were employed to conduct a quantitative analysis of several key aspects: the volume and thematic distribution of research papers on microbial remediation of soils, the cooperative networks between countries and institutions, the leading journals, major research hotspots, and emerging trends. The analysis reveals that utilizing microbial regulatory mechanisms and functions to remediate inorganic pollutants, such as heavy metals, and organic pollutants, such as PAHs, is becoming a significant frontier in future research. This study provides a valuable reference for scholars aiming to understand the current status of microbial research in soil remediation, both domestically and internationally. It also offers guidance for developing efficient, sustainable, and safe remediation strategies while identifying directions for future innovative research. The specific results are as follows: (1) China, the USA, India, and other countries have a high frequency of citations in this field, and the research is more in-depth. (2) More and more attention has been paid to the use of microbial remediation of contaminated soil in the world, mainly in Environmental Sciences . (3) Major publications include Chemosphere , Journal of Hazardous Materials , and Science of The Total Environment . In the key literature, the use of microorganisms to restore the soil environment and the combination of microorganisms and plants to repair soil contaminated by heavy metals occupy a high proportion. (4) The key areas of focus include the application of microorganisms in soil inorganic pollution remediation, the application of microorganisms in remediation of soil organic pollution (crude oil and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)), and the contribution of microorganisms to soil pollutant degradation and toxicity assessment systems. The research and development of combined microbial remediation technology is the current research hotspot in the field of soil remediation, focusing on the symbiosis between mycorrhizal fungi and plant roots, the enhancement in the ability of microorganisms to absorb and degrade pollutants and their tolerance, and the interaction mechanism between indigenous microorganisms and plants.

Keywords: microorganisms; soil remediation; CiteSpace; heavy metals; PAHs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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