Mycoremediation of Heavy Metals from Wupa River Using Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus

Water pollution by heavy metals poses significant environmental and health risks, particularly in regions with high anthropogenic activities. This study evaluated the bioremediation potential of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus for heavy metal removal from water samples collected from the Wupa River in Abuja, Nigeria. The physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations (lead, copper, and zinc) of the water samples were analyzed. The fungi were screened for their ability to remediate heavy metals, and their removal efficiency was assessed over an 8-day period. The results showed that Aspergillus niger achieved the highest removal efficiency for zinc (90%), while Aspergillus fumigatus was most effective for lead (83.77%). The consortium of both fungi demonstrated significant removal efficiency for all three metals, with lead removal reaching 83.77%. This study highlights the potential of fungal bioremediation as a sustainable and eco-friendly method for heavy metal removal from contaminated water bodies.