Bioremediation of Olive Mill Wastewater sediments in evaporation ponds through in situ composting assisted by bioaugmentation

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 703; p. 135537
• Main Authors: Martínez-Gallardo, Maria R., López, María J., Jurado, Macarena M., Suárez-Estrella, Francisca, López-González, Juan A., Sáez, José A., Moral, Raúl, Moreno, Joaquín
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 10.02.2020
• Subjects: Aspergillus ochraceus; Biodegradation, Environmental; Composting; Ecotoxicity; In situ composting; Olea; Phenolic compounds; Phytotoxicity; Scedosporium apiospermum; Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods; Waste Water; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Aspergillus ochraceus; Scedosporium apiospermum; Phytotoxicity; Phenolic compounds; In situ composting; Ecotoxicity
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135537

The common method for the disposal of olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) has been its accumulation in evaporation ponds where OMW sediments concentrate. Due to the phytotoxic and antimicrobial effect of OMW, leaks from ponds can pollute soils and water bodies. This work focuses on the search for microorganisms that can be used as inocula for bioremediation of polluted matrices in OMW ponds by means of in situ composting. Two fungi isolated from OMW sediments, Aspergillus ochraceus H2 and Scedosporium apiospermum H16, presented suitable capabilities for this use as a consortium. Composting eliminated the phyto- and ecotoxicity of OMW sediments by depleting their main toxic components. Inoculation with the fungal consortium improved the bioremediation efficacy of the technique by hastening the decrease of phytotoxicity and ecotoxicity and enhancing phytostimulant property of compost produced. This procedure constitutes a promising strategy for bioremediation of OMW polluted sites. [Display omitted] •The community of polyphenol degrading microorganisms dominates OMW sediments.•Novel fungal consortium isolated from OMW sediments is used for its bioremediation.•In situ composting eliminated the ecotoxicity and phytotoxicity of OMW sediments.•The fungal consortium accelerated the bioremediation efficacy of in situ composting.•Compost from bioaugmented OMW sediments had an improved phytostimulant effect.