A Feasibility Study on the Recall of Metallophilic Fungi from Fe(III)-Contaminated Soil and Evaluating Their Mycoremediation Capacity: Experimental and Theoretical Study

Abstract

Mycoremediation is one of the most attractive, eco-friendly, and sustainable methods to mitigate the toxic effects of heavy metals. This study aimed to determine the mycoremediation capacity of metallophilic fungi isolated from heavy-metal-contaminated soil containing a high Fe(III) concentration (118.40 mg/kg). Four common fungal strains were isolated, including Curvularia lunata, Fusarium equiseti, Penicillium pinophilum, and Trichoderma harzianum. These fungal strains were exposed to gradually increasing concentrations of Fe(III) of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, and 1000 mg/L. Sophisticated techniques and tests were employed to investigate the mycoremediation capability, including tolerance index (TI), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and adsorption isotherm. Furthermore, the impacts of initial concentration, pH, and temperature on the Fe(III) removal (%) and uptake capacity (mg/g) of the studied samples were investigated. The results were validated by statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA. It was found that the Fe(III) uptake with different ratios triggered alterations in the Fe(III) tolerance (TI) morphological (SEM), chemical (FTIR), and adsorption capacity properties. The highest Fe(III) tolerance for all studied fungal strains was achieved at 100 mg/L. Moreover, the optimum conditions of Fe(III) removal (%) for all studied fungal strains were within pH 7 and 28 °C, with similar performance at the initial Fe(III) concentration ranging from 50–200 mg/L. At the same time, the maximum Fe(III) uptake was achieved at pH 7, 20 °C, and 200 mg/L. Compared to other strains, the Fe(III) tolerance of T. harzianum was rise in the Fe(III) concentration. The Fe(III) uptake reaction was corroborated by best fitting with the Langmuir model, achieving optimum adsorption capacities of 61.34, 62.90, 63.30, and 72.46 mg/g for C.lunata, F. equiseti, P. pinophilum, T. harzianum, respectively. It can be deduced that the addressed fungi species can be applied in mycoremediation according to the utilized Fe(III) concentrations with more superiority for live T. harzianum.

Potential Application of Innovative Aspergillus terreus/ Sodium Alginate Composite Beads as Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Adsorbents for Alizarin Red S Dye: Isotherms and Kinetics Models

“…Bioremediation can be applied using microorganisms such as algae, bacteria, and fungi [ 17 ]. Studies showed that bioremediation by fungi is a practical, appropriate, and eco-friendly procedure [ 18 , 19 ]. Ascomycetes are typical fungi that are essential in bioremediation as they are fast-growing and low in cost [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Efficient dye removal from industrial wastewater using sustainable activated carbon and its polyamide nanocomposite derived from agricultural and industrial wastes in column systems

“…Bioremediation, on the other hand, utilizes microorganisms to degrade organic pollutants, making it suitable for certain types of wastewaters. 8,10 Activated sludge mechanisms involve the use of biological processes for the treatment of a Applied Mineralogy and Water Research Lab (AMWRL), Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, 62521, Egypt. E-mail: ahmed.zayed@ science.bsu.edu.eg; mostafa_masoud@science.bsu.edu.eg wastewater, and it is particularly effective in removing organic matter.…”

“…15 Conversely, the adsorption process is the most recommended treatment strategy due to its high efficiency, applicability in a wide pH range, low cost, simplicity, and viability for large-scale applications. 10,11,16 To carry out adsorption studies and to determine the essential parameters for controlling the removal of contaminants from wastewater, both batch and column methods are necessary. 17 Fixed bed adsorption column represents one of the most popular and effective methods for removing contaminants from water.…”

“…Bioremediation, on the other hand, utilizes microorganisms to degrade organic pollutants, making it suitable for certain types of wastewaters. 8,10 Activated sludge mechanisms involve the use of biological processes for the treatment of wastewater, and it is particularly effective in removing organic matter. However, most of these traditional treatment procedures are undesirable because of their operational complicity and costs, 11 causing system corrosion, hazardous by-product production, consumption of chemicals, pH sensitivity, sludge generation, as well as disintegration of the microorganisms and organic materials.…”

“…15 Conversely, the adsorption process is the most recommended treatment strategy due to its high efficiency, applicability in a wide pH range, low cost, simplicity, and viability for large-scale applications. 10,11,16…”