Development of mycoremediation filters for the clean up of agricultural water pollutants

This project aims to create innovative filters using live saprotrophic fungi to tackle pollutants from farming activities before they impact freshwater environments. It addresses the challenge of nitrates and phosphates, byproducts from livestock manure and agricultural fertilisers, which are essential for crop production but detrimental to water quality when they run off into rivers and streams. Our solution lies in utilising fungi which naturally thrive in nutrient-rich conditions and can absorb and store these nutrients. By developing modular filtration units filled with these fungi, the project intends to intercept pollutants at various points on farms, preventing them from reaching watercourses. These captured nutrients are then recycled as slow-release organic fertilisers, contributing to a circular economy. In essence, the project proposes a cost-effective, easy-to-use, and efficient solution for on-farm pollutant management. It not only seeks to mitigate the environmental impact of agriculture on waterways but also to enhance sustainability through the reuse of captured nutrients. The outcome will be a significant advancement in our ability to manage agricultural pollutants, supported by a valuable database of fungal species and strains for widespread application.