Selection of plant species for phytoremediation of oil drilling sites: An overview

Abstract Soil contamination due to the accidental oil spill and leakage of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) such as petrol, diesel, etc. are very common. PHCs are not easily soluble in water and persistent in nature. Impacts of these compounds on the environment are often very serious. Therefore, cleanup of the oil-contaminated sites is needed. Various physical and chemical methods have been investigated; however; they are nonenvironment-friendly. Phytoremediation using different plant species is an esthetically pleasing option and better management technique of both organic and inorganic pollutants. Several plant species have been identified which can degrade, stabilize or accumulate, volatilize, and stimulate the petroleum contaminants removal. In the present chapter, the efforts have been made to explore the efficiency of different plant species and the factors for the screening of suitable candidates for the removal of petroleum contaminants.