Type: Applied research / mycofiltration
Location: Washington, USA
Researchers investigated whether woodchip and straw filters colonised by fungi could reduce E. coli in contaminated stormwater. Species tested included Stropharia, Pleurotus and Irpex fungi.
The work is particularly interesting because it moved beyond simply demonstrating fungal activity in a laboratory dish. Water was actually passed through colonised filter material at different flow rates and configurations. Results showed that removal depended on factors such as hydraulic loading and the amount of filter material available.
The research provides a useful example of both the promise and difficulty of translating mycofiltration into practical water-management systems.
Explore the research:
Washington State University research record