ISOLATION AND EVALUATION OF INDIGENOUS FUNGAL SPECIES FOR BIOSORPTION OF CADMIUM (Cd) FROM CONTAMINATED SOIL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1006-5070Keywords:
Bioremediation, Fungal remediation, Heavy metals, Biosorption, Heavy Metals toleranceAbstract
Heavy metal contamination, particularly by cadmium, poses a significant environmental and public health challenge due to its toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulative nature in soil and water systems. Conventional remediation methods are often expensive and environmentally disruptive, thereby increasing interest in sustainable biological approaches such as fungal bioremediation. This study investigated the isolation, cadmium tolerance, and biosorption potential of indigenous fungal species for the remediation of cadmium-contaminated environments. Soil samples were collected from a contaminated site and subjected to fungal isolation using standard microbiological techniques. Morphological and microscopic characterization identified five fungal species, namely Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Trichoderma spp., and Rhizopus spp., indicating a diverse fungal community adapted to polluted soils. The tolerance of the isolates to cadmium was evaluated using the poisoned food technique at a concentration of 100 ppm cadmium. All isolates exhibited growth in cadmium-amended media, although radial growth was reduced relative to the control. Among the isolates, Trichoderma spp. demonstrated the highest tolerance with the lowest percentage growth inhibition. Biosorption studies conducted in liquid culture further revealed that all tested fungi were capable of removing cadmium from solution with varying efficiencies. Trichoderma spp. recorded the highest cadmium removal efficiency (72%), followed by Aspergillus niger (66%), while Penicillium spp. exhibited the lowest removal efficiency (59%). The findings demonstrate the significant potential of indigenous fungal species, particularly Trichoderma spp., as cost-effective and eco-friendly agents for the bioremediation of cadmium-contaminated environments.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Umar Aliyu Abdullahi, Suleiman Musa, Hamza Garba, Sani Ahmad, Sani Shuaibu Kafin Hausa
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