Bioremediation of soils contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Johanka Mrázková

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are widely spread compounds which are toxic for the environment and organisms, ranging from the simple ones like naphtalene, phenanthrene, to more complex PAHs like benzo(a)pyrene. In total, there are many compounds labeled as PAHs but only a small number of most common PAHs have been extensively studied. PAHs originate naturally for example during forest fires, formation of crude oils or by some plants and bacteria, but also during industrial processes made by human. PAHs are proven carcinogens, cause damage of internal organs as well as respiratory issues. Not only humans but also farm-animals can get affected, which can lower quality of livestock products like meat, milk or eggs, as PAHs can be bioaccumulated in the organs of living organisms. Many efforts have been made to remove PAHs from the environment however there is no quick and easy way to degradate them - PAHs have very low water solubility and easily get bound to lipid tissues which is also why they are very resistant to degradation. Rate of degradation always depends on environmental conditions, mixture of PAHs present during degradation and their concentration. Above physical and chemical degradation, biodegradation has shown to be the most effective way. Recent studies have shown that bacteria and algae can help remove PAHs from polluted water, whereas plants and fungi are useful in the fields with contaminated soil. The experimental part of this thesis focuses on degradation by plants (Zea mays) and fungi (Pleurotus ostreatus) together and put into comparison with bare soil samples, in a soil polluted by PAHs, with duration of 120 days. Harvested maize and collected fungal biomass as well as the soil were then analysed for PAHs content by gas chromatography.

Keywords

PAHs, Pleurotus ostreatus, phytoremediation, ligninolytic fungi

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 17. 7. 2020

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: prof. Ing. Pavel Tlustoš, CSc. dr. h. c.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources

Bachelor programme / field:
Agriculture and Food / Agriculture and Food