Civil Engineering ETDs
Publication Date
Summer 7-29-2025
Abstract
Mining legacy has led to elevated concentrations of lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and uranium(U) mixtures in waters and soils. Fungi could be used as a bioremediation strategy. However, the role of fungi in these processes is poorly understood. We aim to determine the removal of aqueous Pb and As mixtures by various root fungi species. The fungi Fusarium oxysporum species complex, Darksidea alpha, Edenia sp., Monosporascus sp.1 and Monosporascus sp. 2 were cultivated in aqueous media containing 4 mg/L As and 4 mg/L Pb. Removal of 64.7 to 95.4% Pb and limited As removal (< 12.5%) was measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Fungi surfaces are negatively charged as determined by zeta potential measurements (range -3.218 to -10.23 mV). Our results indicate that the negative charge of fungi has affinity for cationic species such as Pb and electrostatically repel anionic species like arsenate. Scanning electron microscopy detected Pb on the surface of Monosporascus sp. 1 indicating biosorption of Pb onto the fungi. The results from this work provide insights for the simultaneous removal of metal mixtures, which have relevant implications to inform bioremediation strategies.
Keywords
Root Fungi, Lead Removal, Arsenic Removal, bioremediation
Document Type
Thesis
Language
English
Degree Name
Civil Engineering
Level of Degree
Masters
Department Name
Civil Engineering
First Committee Member (Chair)
Jose Cerrato
Second Committee Member
Anjali Mulchandani
Third Committee Member
Jennifer Rudgers
Fourth Committee Member
Eliane El Hayek
Fifth Committee Member
Donald O. Natvig
Recommended Citation
Gagnon, Kaelin J.. "Lead and Arsenic Removal by Fungi: Insights into the Bioremediation of Heavy Metals." (2025). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/ce_etds/360