The Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Biological Electrochemical System: A Mini-Review

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent environmental pollutants commonly found in water and sediments, posing significant health risks due to their toxicity, carcinogenicity, and mutagenicity. The stable and sustainable degradation of PAHs has garnered significant attention from researchers. Biological electrochemical systems (BESs) offer a promising approach with advantages in energy efficiency, safety, environmental protection, and long-term operation. This review examines the degradation performance and microbial community dynamics of BESs in the treatment of PAH-contaminated water and sediments. Additionally, the metabolites formed during the degradation process were also summarized. This review summarizes the degradation characteristics of PAH-contaminated water and sediments and aims to guide future research and optimize BESs for effective remediation of PAHs in various environmental settings.