Summary
This laboratory study evaluated Aspergillus oryzae fungal pellets as a bioremediation tool for removing the herbicide 2,4-D from rural wastewater intended for agricultural reuse. Three of four tested strains (RCA2, RCA4, RCA10) achieved over 80% herbicide removal within 7 days across all concentration levels tested, whilst increasing in fungal biomass and altering wastewater chemistry favourably. The findings suggest these strains are viable candidates for developing sustainable, fungi-based wastewater treatment strategies to reduce herbicide contamination before water recycling in agricultural settings.
UK applicability
The findings may be relevant to UK agricultural practice, where 2,4-D is a commonly used herbicide and wastewater reuse is increasingly considered under water scarcity and environmental pressures. However, field validation under UK climate and wastewater chemistry conditions would be necessary before implementation, and regulatory pathways for biological wastewater treatment in agriculture would require evaluation.
Key measures
2,4-D removal percentage (HPLC-UV detection); 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) intermediate detection (mass spectrometry); pH change; sodium and nitrate levels; fungal wet biomass increase; macro- and micronutrient content in wastewater
Outcomes reported
The study assessed the ability of Aspergillus oryzae pellet strains (RCA2, RCA4, RCA5, RCA10) to remove 2,4-D herbicide from natural and sterile rural wastewater at three concentration levels (1, 2.5, 5 mmol L−1) over a 7-day incubation period. Herbicide removal efficiency, degradation intermediates, physicochemical changes, and fungal biomass accumulation were measured via HPLC-UV and mass spectrometry.
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