Water quality and pesticide contamination in agricultural streams: assessing white-rot fungi and biochar treatments as remediation strategies
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Biochar effectively removed 94% of pesticides from agricultural streams, while white-rot fungi (WRF) treatments were less efficient. Both methods impacted water nutrient levels, highlighting the need for careful application in freshwater ecosystem restoration.
Area Of Science
- Environmental Science
- Ecotoxicology
- Bioremediation
Background
- Agricultural runoff pollutes freshwater ecosystems with pesticides.
- Conventional pesticide removal methods are often inefficient and costly.
- White-rot fungi (WRF) and biochar offer sustainable alternatives for pesticide remediation.
Purpose Of The Study
- To assess water quality and pesticide contamination in Norwegian agricultural streams.
- To evaluate the efficacy of WRF and biochar in removing pesticides from surface waters.
- To compare the cost-effectiveness and environmental impact of these bioremediation techniques.
Main Methods
- Water samples from five agricultural streams were analyzed for 35 pesticides.
- Laboratory treatments included WRF (spent mushroom substrate and pellets) and biochar.
- Pesticide removal efficiency and changes in water quality parameters (nutrients, organic carbon) were measured.
Main Results
- 35 pesticides were detected, with trifloxystrobin acid being the most frequent.
- Biochar achieved an average pesticide removal efficiency of 94%.
- WRF treatments showed lower efficiencies (20-27%), and all treatments increased total phosphorus levels.
Conclusions
- Biochar is a highly effective agent for removing pesticides from contaminated surface waters.
- WRF treatments are less efficient and may increase eutrophication risks due to elevated nutrient levels.
- Further research is needed to optimize bioremediation strategies for sustainable freshwater management.
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
Related Concept Videos
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
Agricultural Bioremediation
Bioremediation is a useful process in which microbes and bacteria are used to remove toxins and pollutants from the environment. In agricultural practices, the use of fertilizers and pesticides can result in leaching of...
Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
Microorganisms play a crucial role in agriculture and the food industry, contributing to soil fertility, crop protection, and food production. Their functions range from nitrogen fixation and biopesticide production to fermentation and food preservation, making them indispensable to sustainable farming and food safety.Role in AgricultureNitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium (symbiotic) and Azotobacter (free-living), convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia through biological nitrogen...