Fungal-Based Remediation: Treatment of PCP Contaminated Soil in New Zealand

Contamination of soil, water, and air with toxic chemicals is a serious and on going problem facing the world today. Hazardous compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pentachlorophenol (PCP), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), and trinitrotoluene (TNT) are persistent in the environment and are known to have carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. Removing these pollutants from the environment in an ecologically responsible, safe, rapid, and cost-effective way is a priority for land management agencies. Bioremediation, using microbial organisms, is one way to achieve this target. Extensive laboratory studies have shown the capability of various organisms to remediate contaminated soil and water. More research, however, to determine the applicability and practicability of utilizing these microorganisms in contaminated field sites needs to be achieved. This review and case study presents an evidence of successful bioremediation of PCP and related dioxins using fungal-based technology.