Pollutant Degradation by White Rot Fungi

The continually growing worldwide hazardous waste problem must be dealt with by the present as well as future generations. Past production and improper disposal of large quantities of environmentally persistent and toxic chemicals by both the government and the private sector has generated very legitimate public health concerns. Widespread contamination of soils as well as groundwater and surface water has brought this problem to the forefront. Cleanup of environmental pollution also presents a serious economic burden to society. In the United States alone, the cost of environmental decontamination is thought to range between $0.5 and $1.0 trillion (Aust 1993). Considering the magnitude of this financial burden, it becomes apparent that cost-effective yet efficient methods of decontamination are vital to our success in solving the hazardous waste problem. One such method that has become increasingly popular is bioremediation. The use of indigenous or introduced microorganisms to decontaminate waste sites provides a very attractive economic solution to many of our hazardous pollution problems.