Keywords
Citation
(1998), "Biological soil remediation", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 50 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.1998.01850dab.009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1998, MCB UP Limited
Biological soil remediation
Biological soil remediation
Keywords: Environment, Fungi, Organic pollutants
Two German research projects are exploring the potential of fungi to destroy organic pollutants. The treatable soil contaminants include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and trinitrotoluene (TNT). The method under trial at the GSF Institute for Biochemical Plant Pathology, near Munich, utilises the fungus phanerochaete chrysosporium. This extracts its nutrients in the form of carbohydrate and nitrogen from trees. It secretes a range of peroxidase enzymes which split chemical compounds such as PAH through intercalation of oxygen atoms. Genetic engineering could simplify the remediation process. If the fungus were permanently starved of nutrients it would produce enzymes continuously. Meanwhile, the Jena Institute has demonstrated that a native German edible mushroom can break down pollutants such as TNT, Chlorophenol and some hydrocarbons. The process will soon be tested on a large scale.
"... Utilises fungi to break down industrial chemicals", Environment Information Note, Number 16.98(E), 18 March 1998, 2 pages is issued by the British Embassy in Bonn is available from Global Information on Science and Technology. Tel: +44 (0) 1664 501 501; Fax: +44 (0) 1664 501 555 by quoting 22829P.