Petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals and agricultural pesticides have mutagenic, carcinogenic, immunotoxic and teratogenic effects and cause drastic changes in soil physicochemical and microbiological characteristics, thereby representing a serious danger to health and environment. Therefore, soil pollution urgently requires the application of a series of physicochemical and biological techniques and treatments to minimize the extent of damage. Among them, bioremediation has been shown to be an alternative that can offer an economically viable way to restore polluted areas. Due to the difficulty in choosing the best bioremediation technique for each type of pollutant and the paucity of literature on soil bioremediation enhanced by the use of specific additives, we reviewed the main in situ and ex situ methods, their current properties and applications. The first section discusses the characteristics of each class of pollutants in detail, while the second section presents current bioremediation technologies and their main uses, followed by a comparative analysis showing their respective advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we address the application of surfactants and biosurfactants as well as the main trends in the bioremediation of contaminated soils.

The unbridled use of fossil fuels is a serious problem that has become increasingly evident over the years. As such fuels contribute considerably to environmental pollution, there is a need to find new, sustainable sources of energy with low emissions of greenhouse gases. Climate change poses a substantial challenge for the scientific community. Thus, the use of renewable energy through technologies that offer maximum efficiency with minimal pollution and carbon emissions has become a major goal. Technology related to the use of hydrogen as a fuel is one of the most promising solutions for future systems of clean energy. The aim of the present review was to provide an overview of elements related to the potential use of hydrogen as an alternative energy source, considering its specific chemical and physical characteristics as well as prospects for an increase in the participation of hydrogen fuel in the world energy matrix.