Photochemically enhanced microbial degradation of environmental pollutants
This invention provides for improved methods of biodegradation of environmental pollutants. The invention specifically provides for the simultaneous treatment of the pollutants in a contaminated medium with ultraviolet radiation and lignin-degrading fungi. The preferred fungus is the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium ATCC 64046. The fungi are discontinuously contacted with the mass of a contaminated medium. When removed from the mass of contaminated medium, the fungi and adhering contaminated medium are simultaneously exposed to the ultraviolet radiation. The combination of fungal enzymes and ultraviolet radiation enhances the rates of degradation beyond that expected for either of the treatments alone.