Bioremediation of arsenic in groundwater using residues of the fungus Suillus luteus

The present study sought to determine the potential for bioremediation of arsenic in groundwater using the fungus S. luteus. Water samples were taken from two wells in the district of Pacora - Lambayeque, and analysed to determine their As, pH and E.C. content; for bioremediation, we worked with the waste of S. luteus, selected, washed and dehydrated at 50°C/24 hours and 60°C/16 hours, then ground, the obtained from each dehydrated, was applied taking into account the factors of 1, 6 and 12 hours of agitation and doses of 0.6, 1.5 and 2.4 g/300 ml, in triplicate and at 75 RPM; the treated water was filtered and its As concentration was evaluated, and the sludge was analysed by HPLC-UV, to determine its amino acid composition. The results showed that the dose that yielded the highest levels of bioremediation was 0.6g/300 ml with values of 90.63 and 83.33% in the well ‘Estadio’ and ‘Pueblo Viejo’, respectively, also, it was evidenced that the pH and conductivity influenced this process, on the other hand, it was identified that the S. luteus has a rich and functionally active amino acid profile (18 amino acids), with glutamic acid (2.08 g/100 g), leucine (1.90 g/100 g) and aspartic acid (1.51 g/100 g) standing out. It is concluded that the depletion of S. luteus has great potential as a bioremediation agent for As in groundwater, although the final values obtained exceeded the MPLs for As in water established by the WHO.