Fungal bioremediation of creosote-treated wood: a laboratory scale study on creosote components degradation by Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2008 Aug;81(2):180-4. doi: 10.1007/s00128-008-9394-9. Epub 2008 Apr 4.

Abstract

A bioremediation system for creosote-treated wood is proposed, based on the detoxifying capability of Pleurotus ostreatus, a ligninolythic fungus. Non-sterilized chipped contaminated wood was mixed at various ratios with wheat straw on which Pleurotus mycelia was grown. At 1:2 initial ratio contaminated wood:wheat straw, chemical analyses demonstrated an almost complete degradation of creosote oil components after 44 days, also confirmed by a significant reduction of ecotoxicity. Lower ratios, i.e. higher amount of contaminated wood, lower system efficiency, although a better creosote degradation was obtained by a stepped up wood addition.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Animals
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Carcinogens / analysis
  • Creosote / chemistry*
  • Daphnia
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Mycelium / chemistry
  • Mycelium / metabolism
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Pleurotus / chemistry*
  • Wood / analysis*

Substances

  • Carcinogens
  • Creosote