A fungicide, carbendazim (methyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate; MBC), and a herbicide, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), could be simultaneously degraded by a microbial consortium obtained from several soil samples in Japanese paddy fields with enrichment continuous culture. The degradation ability of the consortium was increased by immobilization on loofa (Luffa cylindrica) sponge in comparison with that of free-living consortium. MBC and 2,4-D were completely degraded within 5.5 d and 1.5 d, respectively. The toxicity of these pesticides in culture medium to Daphnia magna was reduced by treatment with the consortium corresponding to their degradation. The degradation ability of the immobilized consortium at pHs in the range from 6 to 9, at temperatures from 15 degrees C to 37 degrees C, and at low NH(4)(+)-N concentrations (1-10 mg/l) was not very different from that under the basal condition (pH 7, 30 degrees C, 424 mg/l NH(4)(+)-N and 472 mg/l PO(4)(3)(-)-P). At low pHs 4 and 5, the ability was significantly lower than that of the basal condition. Moreover, incubation at low PO(4)(3)(-)-P concentrations (1-10 mg/l) caused a decrease in pH at which the degradation ability also became lower. However, the ability in this culture completely recovered when pH was adjusted to 7 or the phosphate concentration was increased to the basal level. Analysis by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) showed the whole population of the consortium became faint at low pH or low phosphate concentrations but became distinct again as much as those under the basal conditions, indicating that the decrease in the degradation ability caused by low pH was due to that whole population of the consortium underwent serious damage but could survive and recover. These results suggest the immobilized consortium on loofa sponge is a promising material for bioremediation of polluted water with these pesticides in paddy fields.