Bioremediation of chromium contaminated soil by a brown-rot fungus, Gloeophyllum sepiarium

The aim of present study was to remediate chromium contaminated soil by a brown rot fungus. Chromium has become an important soil contaminant at many sites throughout the world and facilitating reduction of toxic Cr (VI) to nontoxic Cr (III) using different microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi, is becoming an attractive remediation strategy. There is a need to find out different fungal species that can remove such toxic heavy metal ions from contaminated sites. The potency of a brown-rot fungus, Gloeophyllum sepiarium was evaluated to remediate chromium contaminated soil for the first time. The contaminated soil sample containing fungal biomass was analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer and soil nutrient analysis was also performed. The results of the study indicated removal of 94% Cr (VI) by the fungal biomass determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry after 6 months. Also, G. sepiarium increased the contents of organic matter, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus present in the contaminated soil after its inoculation. This research showed that fungal biosorption by brown-rot fungi also have a potential to be used in the removal of heavy metal ions from soils. Further this study showed that bioremediation is a viable, environmental friendly technology for cleaning-up the chromium contaminated site.