Benzo[a]pyrene removal by Marasmiellus troyanus in soil microcosms

Benzoa]pyrene (Ba]P) is a carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbon that enters the environment as an incomplete combustion production of fossil fuels. Several species of filamentous fungi are capable of biotransforming and/or mineralizing Ba]P in liquid cultures, however there has been less success in soil habitats. In this study, the litter rot fungus Marasmiellus troyanus was encapsulated in alginate and delivered to Ba]P-spiked soil microcosms (100 μg Ba]P/g soil) for 1, 2 and 6 weeks, with and without a fertilizer solution. After 2 weeks, 32.5% of Ba]P was recovered from soil microcosms treated with M. troyanus compared to 55–70% for controls. After 6 weeks, controls demonstrated an average percent recovery of Ba]P of 54% while M. troyanus-inoculated samples gave an average percent recovery of 11%. Similar bioaugmentation of contaminated habitats with appropriately formulated fungi has potential for practical bioremediation in soil environments. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 25, 116–119.