Recalcitrant Compounds Removal In Raw Leachate And Synthetic Mixtures Using Bjerkandera Adusta

Recalcitrant compounds represent one of the major problems in wastewater treatment since state of the art biological processes, based on bacterial degradation, are not suitable for their removal. In recent years the capability of white-rot fungi (WRF) in biodegrading recalcitrant pollutants, has generated a considerable research interest among bio-based industries. This study focused on the treatment of few effluents with the white-rot fungus Bjerkandera adusta (MUT 2295) through batch tests. The fungal strain B. adusta (MUT 2295) was selected during a previous decolourisation experiment due to its ability to treat a raw leachate sample (Italy). Treatment efficiency of B. adusta was evaluated on a) landfill leachate (Canada) and b) two solutions containing synthetic recalcitrant compounds prepared with 1) tannic acid and 2) humic acid. Different parameters such as effluents pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and glucose consumption were monitored for 10 days of fungal treatment. COD removal was up to 48% in raw leachate, 61% and 48% in the two synthetic mixtures. Moreover, color removal between 25% and 49% was achieved after 1 week of treatment. Results encourage further investigations on the use of the selected white-rot fungus as potentially suitable for the treatment of the tested recalcitrant compounds.