Fungal Communities for the Remediation of Environmental Pollutants

Environmental pollution has been one of the major hazards for our entire planet since ages, with a substantial risk of biodiversity degradation, and many tragic disasters and calamities occur due to anthropogenic activities. Many conventional practices have been implemented for reduction and degradation of these contaminants present in agricultural wastes and industrial effluents. However, due to certain limitations of conventional methods, process of bioremediation has been trending due to its advantages like economical approach and conversion of various pollutants into non- or less hazardous one. Use of fungi provides cheaper, safer, and sustainable means for environmental remediation. Most fungi are ubiquitous and highly diverse in nature, which ensures their widespread applications. Recently, a number of studies have been investigated for bioremediation of organic and inorganic toxic pollutants such as dyes, heavy metals, aromatic compounds, plastic, pesticides, drugs, etc. using suitable fungal strains. Fungi act upon these contaminants through the process of biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biodegradation by producing extracellular enzymes. The present chapter is an attempt to summarize the various sources of pollution, their negative effects, and bioremediation applications of fungi to detoxify wide range of contaminants. Use of fungi for reclamation of environment can be highly advantageous and sustainable for future applications.