Remediation of petroleum contaminated soils through composting and rhizosphere degradation

► Composting and rhizodegradation are used to remediate TPH-polluted soil. ► Optimal amendment/soil and C/N ratios are obtained for effective composting. ► From four plant species, Seepweed has the highest TPH degradation rate. ► Reduced surface area and micropore volume of soils are related to TPH degradation. ► Optimal remediation scheme is recommended to cleanup TPH-polluted soil in the field.