Application of bioremediation process for wastewater treatment using aquatic fungi

A fungal isolate Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus nigricans and Cunninghamella sp. previously isolated from the Mula river, Pune were efficiently utilized for the remediation. The domestic wastewater samples used in this study were collected from sewage wastewater treatment plant Bopodi from Pune city. To study the role of fungi in wastewater treatment, the following method was employed, i) Wastewater treated with Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus nigricans and Cunninghamella sp. and ii) Wastewater treated without Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus nigricans and Cunninghamella sp. (Control). Wastewater was analyzed for pH, BOD, COD nitrate and phosphate before and after wastewater treatment using fungi at various time intervals for 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th days wastewater samples were analysis using standard methods. Result reveled that Aspergillus terreus and Aspergillus niger which showed excellent pollutant removal capabilities. Aspergillus terreus were showed the best removal of nitrate and BOD while Aspergillus niger showed best removal of phosphate and COD capacity from wastewater. Present investigation focuses on the bioremediation of wastewater by using aquatic fungi.