Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in contaminated soil by white rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus

Pleurotus ostreatus was applied to aged creosote-contaminated soil. The white rot fungus degraded benzo[a]pyrene most extensively the first month (28%) and further incubation had a less pronounced effect: degradation increased only an additional 4% to 32%. Removal of artificially added [14C]benzo[a]pyrene was higher than the originally aged benzo[a]pyrene; 40$ of the compound was removed after one month and 49% after 3 months of incubation. The mineralisation degree to 14CO2 was only 1%, but it was still significantly higher in comparison to unsterile control soil (0.1%) without rot fungus.