Depletion of pentachlorophenol in soil microcosms with Byssochlamys nivea and Scopulariopsis brumptii as detoxification agents.
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is a toxic compound which is widely used as a wood preservative product and general biocide. It is persistent in the environment and has been classified as a persistent organic pollutant to be reclaimed in many countries. Fungal bioremediation is an emerging approach to rehabilitating areas fouled by recalcitrant xenobiotics. In the present study, we isolated two fungal strains from an artificially PCP-contaminated soil during a long-term bioremediation study and evaluated their potential as bioremediation agents in depletion and detoxification of PCP in soil microcosms. The two fungal strains were identified as: Byssochlamys nivea (Westling, 1909) and Scopulariopsis brumptii (Salvanet-Duval, 1935). PCP removal and toxicity were examined during 28 days of incubation. Bioaugmented microcosms revealed a 60% and 62% PCP removal by B. nivea and S. brumptii, respectively. Co-inoculation of B. nivea and S. brumptii showed a synergetic effect on PCP removal resulting in 95% and 80% PCP decrease when initial concentrations were 12.5 and 25 mg kg-1, respectively. Detoxification in bioaugmented soil and the efficient role of fungi in the rehabilitation of PCP contaminated soil were experimentally proven by toxicity assays. A decrease in inhibition of bioluminescence of Escherichia coli HB101 pUCD607 and an increase of germination index of mustard (Brassica alba) seeds were observed in the decontaminated soils.
Laboratory of Wastewater Treatment, Water Researches and Technologies Centre (CERTE), Technopole Borj Cedria BP 273, Soliman, 8020, Tunisia; National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, 43, Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1082, Tunis-Mahrajène, Tunisia.
Nejla
N
Hechmi
Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy. Electronic address: luciano.bosso@unina.it.
Luciano
L
Bosso
Laboratory of Wastewater Treatment, Water Researches and Technologies Centre (CERTE), Technopole Borj Cedria BP 273, Soliman, 8020, Tunisia; National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, 43, Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1082, Tunis-Mahrajène, Tunisia.
Leila
L
El-Bassi
Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy.
Rosalia
R
Scelza
Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy.
Antonino
A
Testa
Laboratory of Wastewater Treatment, Water Researches and Technologies Centre (CERTE), Technopole Borj Cedria BP 273, Soliman, 8020, Tunisia.
Naceur
N
Jedidi
Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy.
Maria A
MA
Rao
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D055323:Byssochlamys / Q000378:metabolism*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects; D049449:Luminescence; D010416:Pentachlorophenol / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D060645:Scopulariopsis / Q000378:metabolism*; D031226:Sinapis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D010416:Pentachlorophenol
Bioremediation; Biotoxicity assays; Chlorophenol; Fungi; PCP; Persistent organic pollutants