Efficiency of Penicillium canescens in Dissipating PAH in Industrial Aged Contaminated Soil Microcosms and Its Impact on Soil Organic Matter and Ecotoxicity

The filamentous fungus Penicillium canescens, isolated from oil-polluted soil, was evaluated for its ability to dissipate high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). study conducted in a microcosm containing 180 g of historical PAH-contaminated soil under non-sterile conditions with two incubation temperatures (14 °C and 18 °C) on 12-h cycle. experiment over 8 months, four experimental created by varying the volumes bulking agent vegetable oil (olive oil) time addition these compounds. PAH dissipation performance fungal augmentation treatment compared that achieved biostimulated (bulking untreated as control. greatest obtained P. canescens bioaugmentation (35.71% ± 1.73), 13 16 US EPA significantly dissipated, at rates above 18%, particularly PAH, composed more than three fused rings. Nematode toxicity tests indicated significant decrease bioaugmented this fungus. Fulvic humic contents were increased treatment. All results suggest can be used restore soils long-term contamination.