Abstract

SCREENING PROCEDURE FOR SELECTING FUNGI WITH POTENTIAL FOR USE IN THE BIOREMEDIATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL

Merlyn Stephen* and A. Panneerselvam

Abstract

In the present investigation fungi on the hydrocarbon polluted soils were screened. These are conducted by the enumeration of the fungal population and the identification. The following fungal organisms such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Cladosporium, Mucor, Curvularia, Helminthosporium, and Trichoderma Species were sereened and identified. The growth of fungal diversity was higher due to more carbon concentration in the hydrocarbon polluted sites and the dominant species present in all stations are Aspergillus and penicillium Species. The study focuses its attention on the survey of fungi from the zone of hydrocarbon polluted area and their potential ability to bring about degradation of hydrocarbons.

Keywords: Soil, Pollution, Hydrocarbon, Biodegradation, Fungi.