Evaluation of bioremediation strategies for treating recalcitrant halo-organic pollutants in soil environments

SADAÑOSKI MARCELA A.; TATARINA ANA S.; BARCHUK MÓNICA L. ; GONZALEZ MARIANA; PEGORARO CÉSAR N.; FONSECA MARÍA I.; LEVIN LAURA N.; VILLALBA LIDIA L.

ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Año: 2020

0147-6513

The aim of this study was to investigate the bioremediation potential of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soil,mimicking three strategies: (a) mycoaugmentation: by the addition of Trametes sanguinea and Pleurotus sajor-cajuco-cultures immobilized on sugarcane bagasse; (b) biostimulation: by supplementation of sugarcane bagasse; and(c) natural attenuation: no amendments. The experiments were done in microcosms using Ultisol soil. Remediation effectiveness was assessed based on pollutants content, soil characteristics, and ecotoxicological tests. Biostimulation and mycoaugmentation demonstrated the highest PCBs-removal (approx. 90%) with a significant toxicity reduction at 90 d. The studied strains were able to survive during the incubation period in non-sterilizedsoil. Laccase, manganese-peroxidase and endoxylanase activities increased significantly in co-cultures after 60 d.Sugarcane bagasse demonstrated to be not only a suitable support for fungal immobilization but also an efficientsubstrate for fungal colonization of PCBs-contaminated soils. Mycoaugmentation and biostimulation with sugarcane bagasse improved oxidable organic matter and phosphorous contents as well as dehydrogenase activityin soil. Therefore, biostimulation with sugarcane bagasse and mycoaugmentation applying dual white-rot fungalcultures constitute two efficient bioremediation alternatives to restore PCBs-contaminated soils.