Canadian Journal of Pure & Applied Sciences

Abstract: In the present study, surface soil treatment unit (SSTU) has been designed wherein alluvial soil (1kg) spiked with 25, 50 and 100 mg/l chlorpyrifos respectively was taken for bioremediation using cow – dung consortium as biomass. The ability of activated cow dung slurry consortium to degrade chlorpyrifos at varying concentration was investigated under controlled environmental conditions. The experimental finding shows that chlorpyrifos was rapidly hydrolyzed into TCP in each surface soil treatment unit at varying concentrations. 3,5,6 trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) and benzo pyridine were found to be the most persistent intermediates remaining in the soil during bioremediation. In surface soil treatment unit containing 25 mg/l and 50mg/l soil spiked with chlorpyrifos, TCP and benzo pyridine were disintegrated into 3 – methyl phenol, chloromethylethyl benzene, alpha hydroxy benzene acetic acid within a duration of 8 days, whereas in 100 mg/l spiked concentration, TCP and benzo pyridine were found persistent. The finding shows that bioremediation of chlorpyrifos was proportional to the percentage decrease in COD. These results highlight the potential of cow dung slurry consortium for bioremediation of soil contaminated with chlorpyrifos in a surface soil treatment unit.