Myco-Remediation
Research on the use of fungi for remediation efforts on City landfill waste is underway. Abigail McBride, a research assistant and 2nd year student of the environmental biology and reclamation technology (EBRT) program is working with Allison Campbell, instructor and program coordinator of the EBRT program at Medicine Hat College (MHC). Together they are developing a plan to use local fungi to remove contamination from compost. The organic based biosolid compost is extremely nutrient rich with micro and macronutrients that are essential for crop production. Use of the compost in agriculture and remediation may reduce the need for non-organic based fertilizer. Using bioremediation rather than traditional forms of contaminate removal reduces the introduction of chemicals, has low energy inputs, reduces the chances of negatively changing soil properties, and allows for in situ and ex situ remediation.
Research on the use of fungi for remediation efforts on City landfill waste is underway.
Abigail McBride, a research assistant and 2nd year student of the environmental biology and reclamation technology (EBRT) program is working with Allison Campbell, instructor and program coordinator of the EBRT program at Medicine Hat College (MHC). Together they are developing a plan to use local fungi to remove contamination from compost. The organic based biosolid compost is extremely nutrient rich with micro and macronutrients that are essential for crop production.
Use of the compost in agriculture and remediation may reduce the need for non-organic based fertilizer. Using bioremediation rather than traditional forms of contaminate removal reduces the introduction of chemicals, has low energy inputs, reduces the chances of negatively changing soil properties, and allows for in situ and ex situ remediation.
Our partners at the Medicine Hat City Landfill have a growing quantity of composted and stored biosolids from the city wastewater treatment plant. Use of the compost is currently restricted because of heavy metal contaminates that exceed guidelines. The compost is currently classified as category B which we intend to bring up to category A, through remediation. The Medicine Hat City Landfill provided past data samples, compost access, and process information, which has been extremely beneficial in developing a research plan.
“The work that I have been doing for the project has provided so many opportunities for learning. Not only about the science behind bioremediation, but I have also learned about field work, laboratory skills, and generally how research is conducted.
Being a part of a project that can make substantial local change is very exciting. It has been an excellent way to expand my knowledge and abilities in the field of work I plan to make my career in. I have found a community at MHC not only with my peers in the EBRT program, but with the faculty at MHC. This would not have been possible without the abundance of support I received from the C4i team and Allison Campbell.”
- Abigail McBride, Student Research Assistant