Abstract: The invention relates to methods for land improvement (soil reclamation), preferably for soil remediation comprising the steps of (i) placing a material useful for improving soil, and an explosive in the soil, and (ii) mixing the materials useful for reclaiming the soil and the polluted soil by explosion. The invention also relates to methods methods for providing microorganisms useful for decomposing hydrophobic pollutants, mineral oil components and derivatives by selection and isolation from soil, the microorganisms, their uses and kits for land improvement and soil remediation. The invention is useful in particular for remediation of soil polluted with oil components and derivatives.