Screening of Fungi Isolates from Kaduna Refinery Effluent and Romi River and Their Potential for Bioremediation

Abstract

The operation of Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) has increased effluent generation with consequent effects on water quality and habitat since it is discharged into nearby receiving water body. These effluents contain heavy metals and other toxicants. Samples were  collected from the effluent discharge point of the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) and from Romi River located at Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna state. Standard methods were used to analyze the physicochemical parameters and heavy metals of the effluents. A total of 14 fungi isolates were identified from the samples. These fungi isolates were screened for their bioremediation potential on some toxic components in refinery effluent and were identified using molecular techniques. Four fungi isolates (Chrysosporium tropicum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus oryzae) were selected for bioremediation. Carbon (IV) oxide evolution increased progressively during the period of bioremediation. There was a noticeable decline in the phenol, lead, cadmium and nickel in the entire bioremediation medium. There was a positive correlation between phenol and cadmium with a coefficient of 0.969. Consortia of fungi isolated from the refinery effluent and Romi River samples were effective in the bioremediation of refinery effluent. The mixed consortium of four fungi showed the most efficacies in the bioremediation of refinery effluent in terms of phenol, oil and grease, cadmium, lead and cadmium reduction. Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Corporation (KRPC) should adopt bioremediation as one of the techniques in treating effluents before being discharged into receiving water bodies

Keywords: Effluents, Fungi, heavy metal, bioremediation.