Pilot scale ex-situ bioremediation of heavily PAHs-contaminated soil by indigenous microorganisms and bioaugmentation by a PAHs-degrading and bioemulsifier-producing strain

► Pilot scale remediation of aged soil polluted by blend HMW-PAHs. ► Stimulation of indigenous microbes was effective only for removal of <3 ring-PAHs. ► Bioaugmentation with a degrading strain was also efficient for removal of HMW-PAHs. ► Inoculation of efficient strains was significant for remediation of heavily contaminated soil.