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A Synergistic Role of Photosynthetic Bacteria and Fungal Community in Pollutant Removal in an Integrated Aquaculture Wastewater Bioremediation System

Summary

This research demonstrates how a combination of photosynthetic bacteria and naturally occurring fungi can work together to clean aquaculture wastewater effectively. The integrated treatment system successfully removed over 87% of harmful nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. The findings show that fungi play an important but previously overlooked role in wastewater treatment and could offer a cost-effective, sustainable solution for farms.

Background

Aquaculture is a rapidly expanding food production sector generating significant wastewater rich in nutrients and organic matter, causing environmental pollution and eutrophication. While photosynthetic bacteria (PSB) have been extensively studied for bioremediation, the role of fungal communities in aquaculture wastewater treatment remains largely underexplored despite their metabolic versatility and enzymatic capabilities.

Objective

This study investigates the structural and functional changes in fungal communities in response to PSB addition in an integrated aquaculture wastewater bioremediation system (IAWBS) and examines how these changes contribute to nutrient removal and pollutant degradation.

Results

The system achieved removal rates of 71.42% (CODMn), 91.37% (NH4+-N), 88.80% (NO3−-N), 87.20% (NO2−-N), and 91.72% (PO43−-P). Ascomycota and Chytridiomycota were the dominant fungal phyla, with Aspergillus, Hortea, and Ciliphora as key genera. Significant negative correlations were found between nutrient levels and specific fungal functional groups including epiphytes, animal pathogens, and ectomycorrhizal fungi.

Conclusion

PSB addition significantly modulates fungal community structure and composition, enhancing nutrient removal efficiency. The synergistic interaction between PSB and fungal communities represents a sustainable, low-cost approach to aquaculture wastewater treatment that offers environmental and economic benefits.
  • Published in:Biology (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40906091, DOI: 10.3390/biology14080959
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