Extent of humification of anthracene, fluoranthene, and benzo[alpha]pyreneby Pleurotus ostreatus during growth in PAH-contaminated soils

The white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus catalysed some humification of ant hracene, benzo[a]pyrene and fluoranthene in two polycyclic aromatic hydroca rbon (PAH)-contaminated soils, one from a former manufactured gas facility and one from an abandoned electric coking plant. However, the extent of hum ification of PAH observed in these experiments was considerably less than t hat previously reported for other pollutants, such as chlorophenols. Additi on of surfactants and related amendments significantly enhanced PAH removal from both soils by P. ostreatus, although humification of PAH was not alwa ys enhanced under these conditions.