Physicochemical Characteristics, Identification of Fungi and Biodegradation of Industrial Effluent

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to analyse Physico-chemical parameters like colour, odour, pH, EC, TSS, TDS, BOD, COD, chromium and copper of untreated tannery effluent and to degrade the effluent using native and non – native Fungi. The results of the analysis of parameters revealed that untreated tannery effluent was black in colour with offensive odour. pH was alkaline with high organic load such as EC, TSS, TDS, BOD and COD which were higher than the permissible limits of CPCB. Since the effluent had high organic load, microbes (Fungi) present within the effluent was identified and isolated. The results of the study revealed the occurrence of 10 species of  fungi namely Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus sydowii, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus versicolor, Fusarium moniliformis, Paecilomyces variotii, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium frequentos and Trichoderma harzianum. The presence of bacteria indicates the pollutional status of the untreated tannery effluent suggesting that it should be treated before its disposal using the biological method particularly native and non native fungi for comparing their degrading efficiency. The results of the degradation study shows that native fungus, A. niger was found to be very much successful in reduction of toxic substances at the percentage range of 52-96%  whereas  non native fungus, Aspergillus flavus showed reduction of 53-96%  and the biotreated water can be reused for the agricultural and aquacultural purposes.

Key Words : Untreated tannery effluent, physicochemical parameters, Fungal identification, degradation, native A. niger and non – native A. flavus.