Characterization of Chromophile Fungal Isolates from Landfill Polluted By Tannery Effluent

Background: The release of unprecedented tannery effluents into the environment as industrial wastes is one of the major causes of environmental pollution. Tannery waste containing heavy metals are usually disposed in landfills and streams in Challawa industrial estate Kano. The aim of this study was to characterize chromophile fungal isolated from landfill polluted by tannery effluent. Method: Tannery effluent discharge soil (polluted landfill) and undischarged soil (control) were collected from the surrounding areas of tannery industry. The physicochemical properties of the soil were examined in-situ. The fungal strains were tested for tolerance against chromium sulphate. The degree of tolerance was measured by their mycelia growth length of each respective culture colony and it was compared with control containing no chromium sulphate. Result: A total of eleven fungi species were found in the soil. The most common fungal strains viz., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus sp, Rhizopus nigricans and Penicillium sp. Aspergillus niger was the most tolerant against chromium sulphate. It exhibit strong radial mycelia growth length from 0-4.0% followed by Rhizopus nigricans and the least was obtain by Penicillium sp. Effect of pH and temperature on tolerance of fungal isolates at 1% chromium concentration using different substrates tested were so effective at pH 4-5 and 32oC respectively. Conclusion: These fungi have shown a high level of tolerance to chromium sulphate tested which makes them so attracted and potential candidates for further investigations regarding their ability to remove metals from contaminated waste waters.