In situ mycoremediation of acid rain and heavy metals co-contaminated soil through microbial inoculation with Pleurotus ostreatus

The combined pollution of acid rain and heavy metals in soil is a pressing environmental problem, especially in the regions with large-scale heavy industrial production activities. Low remediation efficiency and weak long-lasting stability are major challenges when disposing the heavy metals contaminated soil in acid rain polluted sites. Herein, a specific microbe, strain CT13 was isolated and domesticated to exhibit high tolerance to both acid rain and cadmium (Cd). Then, an in situ mycoremediation method by adopting a bioaugmentation technology of strain CT13 inoculation with Pleurotus ostreatus was developed. The remediation performance was investigated in acidic conditions with Cd concentrations in soil ranging from 0 to 15 mg/kg. While most of the bacteria strains (e.g. strain CT6/13) significantly improved the dry weight of mushroom and Cd accumulation in neutral environment, the performance of strain CT6 was remarkably deteriorated in acid rain environment. In contrast, strain CT13 maintained its behavior in acidic conditions, displaying ∼30 % and 150 % enhancements (vs the neutral environment) in the dry weight of mushroom and Cd accumulation, respectively. In addition, inoculation of strain CT13 led to significant reductions in the content of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and lipid peroxidation in the fruiting body of P. ostreatus, indicating an improvement in the mushroom's tolerance to both acid rain and heavy metals. The synergistic effect of strain CT13 and P. ostreatus realized the significant improvement in soil remediation efficiency and long-lasting stability in acidic conditions, providing valuable insights into the remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil in the regions affected by acid rain.