ISOLATION AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF FILAMENTOUS FUNGI PRESENT IN HEXACHLOROCYCLOHEXANE CONTAMINATED SOILS
Keywords:
Bioremediation, Soil, HCH, AscomycotaAbstract
Persistent organic pollutants cause a myriad of ecosystem perturbances with long lasting consequences
for their resident animal, plant and microbial communities. Structural shifts in biodiversity and changes in
population dynamics are inextricably tied to the introduction of anthropogenic pollutants. Sequentially,
contaminated ecosystems represent an interesting field of inquiry as to the lines of succession following the
introduction and continued existence of such toxic compounds. Soil microbial communities in particular have been
described as the first responders to both trace and abundant amounts of pollutants. Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) is
one such persistent organochloric pollutant, historically used as a wide spectrum insecticide and acaricide in
agriculture and medicine. HCH’s long soil half-life has ensured it remains a continuous pernicious problem for areas
where extensive HCH manufacture and utilization have occurred. The Skopje valley is one such area, where within
the boundaries of the factory OHIS, approximately 30 million kilograms of technical grade HCH waste has been
disposed of in two landfills. These landfills act as active loci of HCH contamination, allowing slow and steady
infiltration onto surrounding areas, including fertile farm fields, human communities and a small riparian biotope. In
order to study the microbial inhabitants of HCH contaminated soils, samples were acquired from surrounding areas
and within the official boundaries of OHIS. These samples served as initial matrices for the isolation of filamentous
fungal strains with the end goal of surveying the various distinct qualitative morphological adaptations present
among these communities. Among the 35 morphologically unique strains, the majority showed hirsute morphology
(74%), septate hyphae (71%) and belonged to the phylum Ascomycota (88%). The findings of this study suggest
that similar physiognomic strains occupy similar functions in contaminated ecosystems. Studying these microbial
inhabitants and their various adaptations may yield novel insights into potential bioremediation avenues for
managing HCH and other organochloric contaminants. Thus the goal of the presented study is to evaluate the fungal
microbial communities present in the HCH contaminated soils near OHIS, North Macedonia. By determining certain
trends of occurrences, these communities may then further serve as pools for the selection and development of novel
bioremediation agents for the betterment of contaminated areas across the whole of North Macedonia.These isolates
could contribute for the improvement of the wider market for soil remediation products and could also be utilized
to create a clean enviorment for all of us. Isolates can participate in the production of new Macedonian product used
for bioremediation processes.
References
Campbell, C., Johnson, E., & Warnock, D. (2013). Identification of Pathogenic Fungi, Second Edition. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. (2): 11-16.
Cappuccino, J.G., & Sherman, N. (2002) Microbiology: A Laboratory Manual. 6th Edition, Pearson Education Inc., San Francisco. 15-224.
Ceci, A., Pierro, L., Riccardi, C., Pinzari, F., Maggi, O., Persiani, A. M., Gadd, G. M., & Petrangeli Papini, M. (2015). Biotransformation of β-hexachlorocyclohexane by the saprotrophic soil fungus Penicillium griseofulvum. Chemosphere, 137, 101–107.
Ceci, A., Pinzari, F., Russo, F., Persiani, A. M., & Gadd, G. M. (2019). Roles of saprotrophic fungi in biodegradation or transformation of organic and inorganic pollutants in co-contaminated sites. Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 103(1), 53–68.
Coleman, N. V., Mattes, T. E., Gossett, J. M., & Spain, J. C. (2002). Biodegradation of cis-Dichloroethene as the Sole Carbon Source by a -Proteobacterium. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 68(6), 2726–2730.
Di, S., Liu, R., Chen, L., Diao, J., & Zhou, Z. (2018). Selective bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and dissipation of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers in a freshwater food chain. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(19), 18752–18761.
Hartmans, S., Kaptein, A., Tramper, J. et al. (1992). Characterization of a Mycobacterium sp. and a Xanthobacter sp. for the removal of vinyl chloride and 1,2-dichloroethane from waste gases. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 37, 796–801
Kolaříková, K., von Tümpling, W., & Bartels, P. (2012). Bioaccumulation of HCH isomers in selected macroinvertebrates from the Elbe River: sources and environmental implications. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 185(5), 4333–4346.
Kosteska, S., & Gjorgjev, D. (2020). Systematic review and comparative analysis of current methodological approach for risk assessment of “Ohis Plant Skopje”. Archives of Public Health. 12(3):16-29.
Maqbool, Z., Hussain, S., Imran, M., Mahmood, F., Shahzad, T., Ahmed, Z., & Muzammil, S. (2016). Perspectives of using fungi as bioresource for bioremediation of pesticides in the environment: a critical review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 23(17): 16904–16925.
McClenny, N. (2005). Laboratory detection and identification of Aspergillus species by microscopic observation and culture: the traditional approach, Medical Mycology. Volume 43: Issue Supplement (1): 125–S128
Monterroso, M.C., Camps, M., Calvelo, R., Gómez-Garrido, B., Muniategui, S., López-Mahía, P. et al. 2002. Environmental fate and behaviour of HCH isomers in a soil-plant system in a contaminated site. Organohalogen Compounds, 56, 307–310.
Nelson E.P., Toussoun T.A., & Marasas W.F.O. (1983). Fusarium species : an illustrated manual for identification. University Park : Pennsylvania State University Press. (9): 56-62
Quintero, J., Moreira, M., Feijoo, G., & Lema, J. (2008). Screening of white rot fungi species for their capacity to degrade lindane and other isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH). Ciencia e investigación agraria: revista latinoamericana de ciencias de la agricultura. 35: 159-167.
Richardson, J.R., Roy, A., Shalat, S.L., Buckley, B., Winnik, B., Gearing, M., Levey, A.I., Factor, S.A, O'Suilleabhain, P., & German, D.C. (2011). β-Hexachlorocyclohexane levels in serum and risk of Parkinson's disease. Neurotoxicology, 32(5): 640–645.
Rubini, E., Paglia, G., Cannella, D., Macone, A., Di Sotto, A., Gullì, M., Altieri, F., & Eufemi, M. (2020). β- Hexachlorocyclohexane: A Small Molecule with a Big Impact on Human Cellular Biochemistry. Biomedicines, 8(11), 505.
Russo, F., Ceci, A., Maggi, O., Siciliano, A., Guida, M., Petrangeli Papini, M., Černík, M., & Persiani, A. M. (2019a). Understanding fungal potential in the mitigation of contaminated areas in the Czech Republic: tolerance, biotransformation of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and oxidative stress analysis. Environmental science and pollution research international, 26(24), 24445–24461.
Russo, F., Ceci, A., Pinzari, F., Siciliano, A., Guida, M., Malusà, E., Tartanus, M., Miszczak, A., Maggi, O., & Persiani, A. M. (2019b). Bioremediation of Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)-Contaminated Agricultural Soils: Potential of Two Autochthonous Saprotrophic Fungal Strains. Applied and environmental microbiology, 85(21), e01720-19. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.01720-19
Sagar, V., & Singh, D.P. (2011). Biodegradation of lindane pesticide by non white-rots soil fungus Fusarium sp. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 27: 1747-1754.
Sainz, M.J, Gonzalez-Penalta, B., & Vilarino, A. (2010). Effects of hexachlorocyclohexane on rhizosphere fungal propagules and root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Plantago lanceolata. European Journal of Soil Science. 57: 83–90.
Senanayake, Indunil & Rathnayaka, Achala & Sandamali, Diana & Calabon, Mark & Gentekaki, Eleni & Lee, Hyang & Pem, Dhandevi & Dissanayake, Lakmali & Wijesinghe, Subodini & Bundhun, Digvijayini & TTT, Nguyen & Goonasekara, Ishani & Abeywickrama, Pranami & Jayawardena, Ruvishika & Wanasinghe, Dhanushka & Jeewon, Rajesh & Bhat, Darbhe Jayarama & Mm, Xiang & Bhunjun, Chitrabhanu S. & Hurdeal, Vedprakash. (2020). Morphological approaches in studying fungi: collection, examination, isolation, sporulation and preservation. mycosphere. 11. 2678–2754. 10.5943/mycosphere/11/1/20.
Stafilov, T., Peeva, L. Nikov, B., & Koning, A. (2009). Industrial hazardous waste in the republic of Macedonia. Applied Environmental Geochemistry – Anthropogenic İmpact on Human Environment in the SE Europe. ISBN 978-961-6498-18-0: 108–112.
Stafilov, T., & Sajn, R. (2019). Environmental pollution in the urban areas in the Republic of Macedonia due to the industrial activities. Conference: Pollution of the cities in the Republic of Macedonia: what are the solutions?.
Trivedi, P. C., Pandey, S., & Bhadauria, S. (2010). Text Book of Microbiology. Pointer Publishers. ISBN: 8179103064. (17): 356-362
Vijgen, J., de Borst, B., Weber, R., Stobiecki, T., & Forter, M. (2019). HCH and lindane contaminated sites: European and global need for a permanent solution for a long-time neglected issue. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 248: 696–705.
Vijgen, J., Abhilash, P. C., Li, Y. F., Lal, R., Forter, M., Torres, J., Weber, R. (2010). Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) as new Stockholm Convention POPs—a global perspective on the management of Lindane and its waste isomers. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 18(2), 152–162.
Viswanathan, R., Ray, S., Scheunert, I., & Korte, F. (1988) Investigations on accumulation and biotransformation by earthworms of lindane occurring as soil contaminant. Hazard Waste: Detect. Control Treat. Proc. World Conference. Vol. (Pt A): 759-765.
Winquist, E. (2014). The potential of ligninolytic fungi in bioremediation of contaminated soils. PhD thesis, Alto University, Helsinki. Aalto University publication series doctoral dissertations, 54/2014. ISBN: 978-952-60-5657-9.
