Mycoremediation of Crude Oil at Different Concentrations, Salinity, Ph Level by Fungus, Aspergillus Niger: Optimizing Condition for Environmental Clean-Up
RESEARCH PLANTitle of the Project: “Mycoremediation of Crude Oil at Different Concentrations, Salinity and Ph Level by Fungus, Aspergillus niger: Optimizing Condition for Environmental Clean-up”ProblemThe main objective of the study is to determine the mycoremediation of crude oil at different concentrations and salinity level by fungus, A. niger.Specifically, it will seek to find answers to the following questions:Can A. niger biodegrade the crude oil at different concentrations, salinity and pH level?Is there a significant difference among the mycelia growth of A. niger observed on the culture media with different concentrations of crude oil (0.2 ml, 0.4 ml, 0.6 ml, 0.8 ml and 10 ml) in comparison with the control (no crude oil)?Is there a significant difference among the mycelia growth of A. niger observed on the crude oil-contaminated culture media at varying salinity level (1ppt, 2ppt, 3ppt, 5ppt, 10ppt, 15ppt, 20ppt and 25ppt) in comparison with the control (0ppt)?Is there a significant difference among the mycelia growth of A. niger observed on the crude oil-contaminated culture media at varying pH level (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8)?Is there a significant difference on the oil and grease of the untreated petroleum wastewater sample before and after the introduction of A. niger?Is there a significant difference on the post-test percent reduction of oil and grease between the untreated petroleum wastewater sample with A. niger and the untreated petroleum wastewater sample without the A. niger?HypothesisThere is no significant difference among the mycelia growth of A. niger observed on culture media with different concentrations of crude oil (0.2 ml, 0.4 ml, 0.6 ml, 0.8 ml and 10 ml) in comparison with the control (no crude oil).There is no significant difference among the mycelia growth of A. niger observed on crude oil-contaminated culture media at varying salinity level (1ppt, 2ppt, 3ppt, 5ppt, 10ppt, 15ppt, 20ppt and 25ppt) in comparison with the control (0ppt).There is no significant difference among the mycelia growth of A. niger observed on the crude oil-contaminated culture media at varying pH level (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8).There is no significant difference on the oil and grease of the untreated petroleum wastewater sample before and after the introduction of A. niger.There is no significant difference on the post-test percent reduction of oil and grease between the untreated petroleum wastewater sample with A. niger and the untreated petroleum wastewater sample without the A. niger.Treatment/General ProcedureThe procedure for the first three phases of the study will be adapted from Quinto and Santos (2005) and Isitua and Ibeh (2010) with some modifications.