The remediation of chlorpyrifos-contaminated soil by immobilized white-rot fungi

This research focused on the degradation of chlorpyrifos via immobi­lized white rot fungi in soil, which should select excellent degrading strains and an optimal carrier of white rot fungi. Immobilization of white rot fungi was assessed on corn stover, wheat straw, peanut shells, wood chip, and corn cobs. Phlebia sp., Lenzites betulinus and Irpex lacteus were grown in defined nutrient media for the remediation of pesticide-contaminated soils. The carrier of the biomass was determined by observing the growth of white rot fungi. The results showed that corn stover and wheat straw are suitable carriers of immobilized white rot fungi and that Phlebia sp. and Lenzites betulinus have a positive effect on the degradation of chlorpyrifos. At 30 o C and neutral pH, the degradation rate of chlorpyrifos was 74.35 %, Phlebia sp. being immobilized by corn stover in 7 days, which was the best result compared to other combi­nations of strains and carriers. The orthogonal experiment showed that the pH value and temperature affected the pollutant degradability more than the initial concentration and the biomass dosage.