## 1 Introduction  
Due to rapid urbanisation, industrial development and the construction of road infrastructure and fuel distribution systems, the topic of environmental pollution by petroleum products is highly relevant [1]. Potentially threatening locations include refineries, fuel stations, pipelines, warehouses and transshipment bases, as well as sites affected by accidents or fuel spills [2]. Petroleum substances are complex mixtures of aliphatic (both saturated and unsaturated) and aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as heterocyclic compounds that contain oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur atoms, and trace amounts of trace element ions,including iron, lead, tin, arsenic, mercury, antimony and vanadium [3; 4]. Crude oil and its derivatives have a negative impact on the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil, reducing its fertility and limiting crop production [5]. Soil contaminated with hydrocarbons loses its colloidal structure [6], and both its primary (e.g., compactness, porosity and bulk weight) and secondary (e.g., water, heat and air) physical properties are disturbed [7; 8]. The partial filling of soil pores by petroleum products reduces the soil's water-holding capacity and impedes water percolation and subsoiling. It also reduces air exchange between the soil and the atmosphere [9] and increases oxygen demand and consumption [10]. When soil is subjected to pressure from oil derivatives, denitrification and processes that release hydrogen sulfide intensify [11]. These processes lead to the formation of compounds that are toxic to plant roots and soil microorganisms [12]. The exchange capacity of magnesium, sodium, calcium and potassium is impaired, reducing the availability of these macronutrients [13; 14]. Due to the presence of numerous organic groups present in petroleum pollutants, the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is altered, which affects soil fertility, the composition and content of organic matter, and the exchange of nutrients between plant roots and soil [15]. The presence of petroleum derivatives alters the composition and activity of soil microorganisms, thereby limiting the growth of certain strains [16] and destabilising the soil's enzymatic activity [17]. This also alters nutrient and energy conditions. These changes contribute to the depletion of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems in areas contaminated with these substances [8]. Numerous studies [18; 19; 20] have demonstrated the adverse effects of petroleum products on the soil environment. A particularly dangerous and permanent threat to human health and the ecological functions of agricultural soils is contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group of petroleum hydrocarbons [21]. This is due to their mutagenic and carcinogenic effects [22], as well as their ability to bioaccumulate. This can result in PAHs building up in the food chain downstream and eventually entering the human body [23]. Additionally, harmful trace elements (TEs) are introduced into the soil alongside petroleum substances [24], negatively affecting food security and soil quality [25]. According to [PERSON] et al. [26], industrial activities at petrochemical plants lead to the accumulation of cadmium, copper, chromium, arsenic, zinc, lead and nickel in the soil. In November 2021, the European Commission presented the European Parliament with the 'Soil Strategy for 2030: Reaping the benefits of healthy soils for people, food, nature and climate'. The document indicated a significant increase in activities concerning the remediation of contaminated sites in the medium term (until 2030). The long-term goal for 2050 is to reduce soil contamination to levels that are harmless to human health and natural ecosystems, thereby creating a toxin-free environment [27]. According to a report by the European Environment Agency, 60-70% of EU soils are currently 'unhealthy', which could lead to problems with European Union (EU) food security in the future. Furthermore, the cost of soil degradation in the EU exceeds EUR 50 billion per year [28].