Influence of Bioaugmentation on the Decontamination of Heavy Metal Impacted Landfill Soil

Abstract

The research is aimed to decontaminate heavy metal polluted landfill soil using consortia of fungi as bioaugmentation agents. Two consortia namely highly metal tolerant fungi (HMTF) and moderately metal tolerant fungi (MMTF) were used for the bioaugmentation. The experiment was conducted at day 0, 20, 60, and 100. Soil physicochemical parameters (pH, conductivity, redox potentials, and metal concentrations) were found to decline along the duration of the experiment. The maximum metal removal (48%) was achieved in soil treated with HMTF. Both treatments were efficient than the control (P < 0.05). The bioremediation efficiency was significantly influenced by the bioaugmented fungi. Therefore, the technique can be utilized for future treatment of metal impacted soil.