Application of mycoremediation for municipal solid waste management

Abstract

Municipal solid waste management is a major challenge in urban India. Unscientific disposal of solid waste is responsible for pollution. The present study aims at management of solid waste using mycoremediation. This study has been carried out using dominant fungi collected from the air in the vicinity of dumping grounds of Mumbai. Four parameters, C/N ratio, pH change, weight loss and moisture content were monitored in this study. Four species of fungi: Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium herbarum, Penicillium chrysogenum and Trichoderma pseudokoningii were selected for degradation study after screening of several dominant airborne fungi. Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus niger showed maximum weight loss and higher C, H, N content. Therefore, output of this study confirms that Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus niger combination will be more helpful for mycoremediation of municipal solid waste.