Mycoremediation of Paper, Pulp and Cardboard Industrial Wastes and Pollutants

Abstract

Paper and pulp industries can broadly be divided into three categories—(1) handmade paper industries, (2) mill-made paper industries and (3) cardboard industries. All of these industries utilise water in different stages of making paper which is later discharged to nearby water bodies due to which these are considered as a major cause of water pollution. These effluents possess very high BOD, COD and toxic substances. As paper can be recycled a limited number of times, pulp fibres accumulate in the nearby area in the form of sludge which not only pollutes the soil or land but also produces enormous odour. Mycoremediation technology is a great boon which will be helpful in improving the existing situation and to minimise environmental and health problems associated with paper industrial wastes and pollutants. Therefore, in this chapter, we have discussed about the types of wastes and pollutants generated by handmade paper, mill-made paper and cardboard industries. Besides this, we have discussed about the fungi, their enzymes and role of both in mycoremediation of these wastes. In this chapter, we have also explained the suitable types of bioreactor, availability of culture, inoculation techniques and factors affecting the process. This information provides a platform for the workers who are working in field of mycoremediation of paper and pulp industrial wastes.