The Application of Biomaterials in Ecological Remediation of Land Pollution: Bioremediation of Heavy Metals in Cement Contaminated Soil Using White-Rot Fungus Pleurotus sajor-caju

Abstract Environmental pollution is a result of cement manufacture. Soil and plant analysis at the Lafarge Cement Factory (LCF) as well as bioremediation of soils contaminated with cement at various concentrations were done. Human-induced heavy metal mobilization in the biosphere has developed into a significant phenomenon. This study used atomic absorption spectrophotometry to determine the levels of Ni, Cr, Pb, and Zn in 15 soil samples and 36 Synedrella nodiflora plants that were taken from the area around the Lafarge Cement factory in Sagamu, Nigeria (AAS). The findings of the metal study showed that some metals exceeded the essential limitations for the soil and plants, as well as the natural background levels. The white-rot fungus Pleurotus sajor-caju was investigated for its ability to mineralize heavy metals. Five kilograms of soil was carefully weighed and thoroughly mixed with cement to give 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4% contamination levels, five kilograms of the contaminated soil from the vicinity of the cement factory with an unknown percentage level of contamination was also weighed and a set control was also weighed (0%). Following the addition of the fungus to the soil samples using rice straw as a substrate, the samples were incubated for a month. After a month of the fungus' incubation, the soil's heavy metal level significantly decreased. After a month, P. sajor-caju was able to mineralize the heavy metals and improve the soil's nutrients. In order to initiate the ecological restoration process for soil contaminated by cement, P. sajor-caju can be used as a bioremediation agent.