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Water Quality Assessment and Decolourisation of Contaminated Ex-Mining Lake Water Using Bioreactor Dye-Eating Fungus (BioDeF) System: A Real Case Study

Summary

Researchers tested a natural solution for cleaning polluted water from an old mining lake in Malaysia. They used a special fungus called Ganoderma lucidum in a system called BioDeF that acts like a sponge to remove dirt and discoloration from contaminated water. After just 48 hours, this fungus-based system removed over 90% of the water’s brown color, offering a cheap and eco-friendly alternative to traditional water cleaning methods.

Background

Former mining lakes in Malaysia are being converted to recreational, agricultural, and livestock uses due to development constraints. These lakes often contain contaminated water with heavy metals, organic pollutants, and color issues from post-mining activities and natural processes. Fungal-based bioremediation offers a promising alternative to traditional water treatment methods.

Objective

To assess water quality and heavy metals content of Main Lake in Paya Indah Wetland, calculate its water quality index (WQI), and evaluate the potential of Ganoderma lucidum fungus in a BioDeF system to decolorize contaminated ex-mining lake water.

Results

Main Lake water had low pH (5.49±0.1), high color (874.67±3.7 TCU), and elevated iron content (3.24±0.25 mg/L). WQI averaged 56.45, classifying water as Class III (under-polluted). The BioDeF system removed more than 90% of water color (96.59±5.7% in 50% diluted samples and 94.18±3.5% in full-strength samples) after 48 hours of treatment.

Conclusion

Ganoderma lucidum demonstrates high potential as a biosorbent material for decolorizing contaminated mining lake water, achieving >90% color removal. The fungal-based BioDeF system offers an environmentally friendly, low-cost alternative to conventional water treatment. Future research should focus on optimizing parameters and scaling up the technology for industrial applications.
  • Published in:Toxics,
  • Study Type:Case Study,
  • Source: PMC10818540, PMID: 38251015, doi: 10.3390/toxics12010060
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