Bioremediation of dimethoate and atrazine in black cotton soil using Chlorella vulgaris

Pesticides pose a significant threat to soil ecosystems worldwide due to their widespread use in agricultural practices. Bioremediation offers a sustainable solution by leveraging the natural capabilities of microorganisms. This study explores the efficacy of Chlorella vulgaris in remediating dimethoate and atrazine contamination in soil environments. Culturing C. vulgaris in a pesticide-contaminated soil slurry revealed a dose-dependent increase in removal efficiency, peaking at a 1.0 mgL^-1 concentration for both pesticides. Moreover, contact time significantly influenced removal rates, with 40% dimethoate and 45.5% atrazine removal achieved after 14 days. Optimal microalgal dosage (10 mL) yielded the highest removal efficiencies, indicating a saturation effect beyond this threshold. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis confirmed notable reductions in pesticide concentrations post-bioremediation. Response Surface Methodology analyses further validated the model's significance and suitability for predicting removal efficiencies, highlighting the robustness of the bioremediation process. Findings underscore the potential of C. vulgaris as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach for mitigating pesticide contamination in agricultural soils. Future research should focus on elucidating the underlying mechanisms driving observed trends to further optimize bioremediation strategies.