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

Benzo[a]pyrene (B [a] 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 B[a]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 B [ a] P-spiked soil microcosms (100 mu g B [a] P/g soil) for 1, 2 and 6 weeks, with and without a fertilizer solution. After 2 weeks, 32.5% of B [a] 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 B[a] 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.