Abstract

The biodegradation and bioremediation of hydrocarbons in extreme environments such as high temperatures, salinity, acidity, or pressure, represent significant challenges in environmental management. Hydrocarbon contamination in these environments, whether from oil spills, industrial waste, or natural seeps, poses serious risks to biodiversity and ecosystem health. However, certain extremophilic microorganisms have evolved unique metabolic pathways that enable them to degrade hydrocarbons in these harsh conditions. This review highlights recent advances in the understanding of hydrocarbon biodegradation in extreme environments, focusing on the microbial communities and enzymes involved in the degradation processes. It also discusses bioremediation strategies leveraging these extremophiles, such as bioaugmentation, biostimulation, and the use of engineered microorganisms. Despite the promising potential of extremophilic microbes for hydrocarbon degradation, challenges related to scalability, ecological stability, and environmental factors must be addressed. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research and to propose future directions for improving the bioremediation of hydrocarbons in extreme environments.