Abstract
Abstract Hydrocarbon pollution is a threat to the agricultural industry and the natural environment. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of persistent organic pollutants known for their carcinogenesis, teratogenesis and mutagenesis, making them harmful to humans and the ecological environment. This review paper critically assesses the environmental contamination issues associated with PAHs, with particular attention given to surface waters. An overview of the transport and transformation behaviours of various types of PAHs within surface waters, including the exchange between water and air, photodegradation, adsorption-desorption on particles, uptake by plants and biodegradation is given. Recent findings in areas such as phytoremediation and microbial degradation processes, which are relevant to agriculture, water resources management and environmental science, are highlighted. Finally, the paper recommends further research on the mechanisms of PAHs sorption to particles, and remediation and degradation of PAH by plants and microbes.
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