Plant- and microbe-assisted biochar amendment technology for petroleum hydrocarbon remediation in saline-sodic soils: A review

Soil degradation through salinization and pollution by toxic compounds such as petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) in the coastal wetlands has become a significant threat to ecosystem health, biodiversity, and food security. However, traditional remediation technologies can generate secondary pollutants, incur high operating costs, and consume significant quantities of energy. Bioremediation, using plants, biochar, and microbes, is an innovative and cost-effective option to remediate contaminated soils. Biochar, as a plant/microbe growth enhancer, is a promising green approach for the sustainable phytoremediation of PHCs in salinized soils. This review therefore summarizes the effect of plant- and microbe-assisted biochar amendment technology for the remediation of PHCs and salinization. Plant-microbe interactions mediated rhizodegradation despite increasing hydrocarbon sorption. Overall, microbial respiration is more active in biochar amendments, due to faster biodegradation of PHCs and improved soil properties. The use of biochar, plants, and microbes is recommended, as it offers a practical and sustainable option, both ecologically and economically, for the remediation of PHCs and excess salinity. Further development of new green technologies is to be encouraged.