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ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF VARIOUS FUNGAL STRAINS FROM TEXTILE EFFLUENT FOR THEIR USE IN BIOREMEDIATION

RANI FARYAL* AND ABDUL HAMEED**

Abstract: Bioremediation is an inexpensive mean to remove hazardous metal ions from the contaminated effluent. Effluent from the local textile industry was characterized for the incidence of fungal strains and its physiochemical properties were investigated. Sampling was done spanning a distance of five km from the effluent's discharge point. Effluent was analyzed and highest colony forming units per mL were found at the end point (5x10³). Penicillium, Rhizopus and Candida were the three main fungal genera found in such alkaline pH where as Drechslera sp., and Rhodotorula sp., were in low number. Effluent was also analyzed for Mn, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, Cd, Ni and Cr using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Concentration of all these metal ions in the effluent were above the recommended N.E.Q.S. There was increase in TSS, TDS, BOD,COD,EC, colour and metal ions concentration.
 

Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, BioPhysics Block, Johar Campus, Sector H-8, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Microbiology Research Laboratory, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Corresponding Author:  ranifayal@hotmail.com