Aspergillus sydowii and Typha angustifolia as useful tools for combined bio-processes of PCP removal in wastewater

The aim of this study was the removal of 200 mg L-1 of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in wastewater by combined bio-processes, a novel isolate, and Typha angustifolia. The fungal strain was isolated and identified from agricultural soil irrigated for 20 years with wastewater and selected for its PCP removal capacity. The isolated strain was tested in PCP contaminated (200 mg L-1) liquid mineral medium (MSM). After that, a combined bio-processes phytoremediation with Typha angustifolia and bioaugmentation with Aspergillus sydowii in PCP contaminated wastewater was also tested for 30 days of incubation time. The wastewater samples were collected from the Charguia I industrial (WWTPs) namely E. WW the pre-treated wastewater, P. WW the primary treated wastewater, S. WW secondary or biologically treated wastewater, AC. WW the clarified wastewater. The bioremediation process with fungal isolate showed PCP removal of around 144 mg L-1 in the MSM after 7 days of incubation. In addition, the combined process of bioaugmentation-phytoremediation showed an increase of the PCP removal with an average removal rate of 158 mg L-1 in AC. WW sample. An increase in chloride rates, fungi number, and a decrease of bacteria number and diversity in wastewater after 1 month was also observed. In the macrophyte analysis, a reduction of leaf dry biomass and an increase of root dry biomass, organic carbon, chlorophyll a and b, were observed during the PCP removal or biotransformation. This combined process could prove to be a great prospect for chlorophenols bioremediation strategies.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to remove pentachlorophenol from wastewater using combined bio-processes, a novel isolate, and Typha angustifolia. The results showed that the fungal isolate was able to remove pentachlorophenol in liquid mineral medium, and the combined bio-process of bioaugmentation and phytoremediation further increased the removal efficiency. Additionally, the use of Typha angustifolia also contributed to the removal of pentachlorophenol.