Mycoremediation of polyaromatic hydrocarbon contaminated anoxic ecosystem by <i>Trichoderma</i> species in synergy with <i>Bacillus</i> species

Abstract

Fungi-base remediation is a cheap, effective and ecofriendly procedure for the cleanup of crude oil contaminated ecosystem. The study investigated the reduction of lag in crude oil degradation by Trichoderma in synergy with Bacillus in biofilm mode Sediment samples were collected from Bodo Ogoni River State using random stratified method.at depth 0 – 15 cm and 15 – 30 cm. The experimental setup consists of consortium of 1 % and 50 % crude oil (bonny light) with Trichoderma inoculum alone and/or Trichoderma and Bacillus inoculum for sixty (60) days. Microbiological test, Biochemical test, Physiochemical test (pH, conductivity) salt (nitrate, phosphate, sulphate) metal (lead, nickel, chromium, vanadium, iron) and total petroleum hydrocarbon and polyaromatic hydrocarbon using Gas chromatography flame ionization detector. Trichoderma koningopsis strain (MT111912.1): accession no (ON564694) and Bacillus velezensis strain (ON287164.1) accession no. (ON584354) were molecularly identified. 1 % crude oil Trichoderma only setup recorded 33.3 % reduction of PAHs while Trichoderma and Bacillus 1 % crude oil setup recorded 78.8 %. The 50 % crude oil Trichoderma only setup recorded 57.5 % reduction of PAHs while Trichoderma and Bacillus 50 % crude oil setup recorded 90.8 %. For TPH 1 % crude oil Trichoderma only setup recorded 29.9 % reduction while Trichoderma and Bacillus recorded 71.9 %. The 50 % crude oil Trichoderma only setup recorded 49.2 % reduction of while Trichoderma and Bacillus 50 % crude oil setup recorded 85.8 %. The study revealed that Trichoderma species can degrade polyaromatic hydrocarbon and total petroleum hydrocarbon faster in synergy with Bacillus.