Dialkyl esters of phthalic acid in soils, biodegradation of phthalates and bioremediation of polluted soils

Abstract

An overview of dialkyl esters of phthalic acid (PAEs) in soils is provided. PAEs are ubiquitous in soils. The most commonly detected PAEs in soils are dibutyl phthalate, diethylhexyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, and diisobutyl phthalate. They are known to have toxic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic effects, and are capable of binding to cell receptors and disrupting hormonal regulation in living organisms. Therefore, the presence of these compounds in soils can potentially have a negative impact on humans and other living organisms. Sources of PAEs in soils include anthropogenic pollution and the biological synthesis of these substances by plants and microorganisms. Among soil microorganisms, the ability to degrade PAEs was found in fungi (Aspergillus flavus, Agrocybe praecox, Crucibulum leave) and bacteria of the following genera: Achromobacter, Acinetobacter, Agrobacterium, Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Delftia, Dietzia, Enterobacter, Erythrobacter, Glutamicibacter, Gordonia, Halomonas, Ideonella, Idiomarina, Kluyvera, Marinobacter, Martelella, Methylobacillus, Oceanisphaera, Ochrobactrum, Paenarthrobacter, Phytobacter, Priestia, Providencia, Pseudoarthrobacter, Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus, Sphingobium, Stappia, Stutzerimonas, Variovorax. The main existing technologies for soil remediation are the introduction of phthalate-degrading bacteria (bioaugmentation) and the use of plants for soil remediation (phytoremediation). It is concluded that soil phthalate-degrading bacteria remain understudied, requiring a more comprehensive study of their distribution, their role in ecosystems, and impact on human health.