Simultaneous Removal of Hazardous Contaminants Using Polyvinyl Alcohol Coated Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Currently, the water pollution has become menace across the globe due to anthropogenic activities. The present study was designed to overcome the problem of water pollution wherein free cells of Phanerochaete chrysosporium were coated with polyvinyl alcohol and activated for the removal of heavy metals, azo dyes and phenolic compounds. Individual metal removal study suggested that activated PVA@PC has the capacity to remove Pb (98.5%), Al (91.24%), As (82.78%), Cd (64.5%) and Cr (53.56%) metals within 24 h. Activated PVA@PC proved to be efficient in removing different reactive dyes and phenolic compounds within 24 h. Simulated water effluent was prepared to observe simultaneous removal of hazardous contaminants. Studies revealed that activated PVA@PC is efficient to remove these contaminants within 36 h and remains efficient till 5 cycles. Microbial toxicity drastically reduced in activated PVA@PC than simulated effluent, depicting the fungi used in the present study can be a potent option for the waste water treatment plant.