Monitoring 2,4-D removal by filamentous fungi using electrochemical methods

Pesticides that spread into the environment from residues not only cause environmental pollution but also have negative effects on living organisms. Studies in recent years have focused on removing pesticides from aquatic environments. This study investigated the biological treatment of 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxy Acetic Acid), one of the pesticides widely used in Turkey, by Aspergillus versicolor and Rhizopus arrhizus. The 2,4-D is used as a herbicide, and its water solubility allows it to pass from soil to water and spread easily. Our research aims to monitor 2,4-D removal from aqueous environments with different fungal species using electrochemical methods. Molasses was used as a carbon source to reduce the cost of the medium used for fungal growth. The bioremoval and biosorption mechanisms were examined for 2,4-D removal. The maximum 2,4-D bioremoval rates by R. arrhizus and A. versicolor species growing on molasses medium were 78.58% and 85.78%, respectively. Also, R. arrhizus and A. versicolor achieved 62.7% and 78.1% biosorption of 2,4-D at optimal conditions (pH 2 and 15 mg/L 2,4-D concentration), respectively. This study showed that filamentous fungi can be used in the bioremediation of pesticide-contaminated environments with a cheap and environmentally friendly approach.