Assessment of the Mycoremediation Potential of Aspergillus Flavuson Zea Mays Cultivated Soil Purposely Contaminated with Bitumen.

This study aimed to evaluate Aspergillus flavus' potential in remediating bitumen-contaminatedsoil. Aspergillus flavus, previously isolated from a crude oil-contaminated soil sampleinNigeria's Niger Delta region, was sourced from the Old Biology laboratory of Ajayi CrowtherUniversity, Oyo state. Bitumen was purchased from Ogunpa market, Ibadan and soil samplesfrom the university's Old Biology Laboratory area. Twenty-four soil samples were collected, with eighteen intentionally contaminated with bitumen and six kept as uncontaminatedcontrols. Aspergillus flavus broth was inoculated into eight contaminated samples. Over three months, microbial and physico-chemical parameters of the soil samples were analyzed usingstandardmethods, including monitoring changes in total petroleum hydrocarbon levels. Microbial counts were enumerated bi-weekly and compared. Field mycoremediation lasted for 12weeks. In contaminated, sterilized soil treated with Aspergillus flavus, fungal counts initially increaseduntil the 8th week, followed by a decline. Initial contamination yielded a fungal count of 2.5x10^6 cfu/g, decreasing to 2.3 x 10^5 cfu/g after 3 months. Total petroleumhydrocarbonintreated soil decreased from 4.60 ppm to 1.06 ppm, indicating a progressive reductioninoil concentration. The Aspergillus flavus isolate exhibited potential for bitumen degradation, suggesting its viability for environmental cleanup of bitumen-contaminated soil.