The Effect of Synergistic Approaches Using Trametes versicolor and Escherichia coli on Zinc Concentration in Soil

Tori LiFollow

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

10th Grade

Presentation Topic

Environmental Science

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

With the recent increase in metal pollution across the globe, new approaches to extracting excess metal are vital. Trametes versicolor, a type of bioremedial fungi, has become a useful tool for extracting metal out of heavily concentrated areas. In addition, Escherichia coli is a common bacteria found in the intestines of animals; furthermore, it has many bioremedial properties that allow it to work with other plants and fungi to degrade metal in soil, making it easier to extract. The purpose of this experiment was to test the effectiveness of using both T. versicolor and E. coli to work together and extract zinc from soil. Four groups of thirty trials each were tested, including a control group with no organisms, T. versicolor only, E.coli only, and both T. versicolor and E. coli. All trials were incubated for one week and then were tested to determine the concentration of zinc in each. It was found that the group with both T. versicolor and E. coli had the lowest concentration of zinc, indicating that having both organisms was more effective in extracting metal than individual organisms. A chi-square test was performed to analyze the data, resulting in a p-value of >0.001 having been used. However, the assumptions of the test were not met, due to some expected values being less than five. This experiment looked into possible ways to enhance and increase the rate of bioremediation.

Location

RITA 154

Start Date

3-23-2024 9:45 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 23rd, 9:45 AM

The Effect of Synergistic Approaches Using Trametes versicolor and Escherichia coli on Zinc Concentration in Soil

RITA 154

With the recent increase in metal pollution across the globe, new approaches to extracting excess metal are vital. Trametes versicolor, a type of bioremedial fungi, has become a useful tool for extracting metal out of heavily concentrated areas. In addition, Escherichia coli is a common bacteria found in the intestines of animals; furthermore, it has many bioremedial properties that allow it to work with other plants and fungi to degrade metal in soil, making it easier to extract. The purpose of this experiment was to test the effectiveness of using both T. versicolor and E. coli to work together and extract zinc from soil. Four groups of thirty trials each were tested, including a control group with no organisms, T. versicolor only, E.coli only, and both T. versicolor and E. coli. All trials were incubated for one week and then were tested to determine the concentration of zinc in each. It was found that the group with both T. versicolor and E. coli had the lowest concentration of zinc, indicating that having both organisms was more effective in extracting metal than individual organisms. A chi-square test was performed to analyze the data, resulting in a p-value of >0.001 having been used. However, the assumptions of the test were not met, due to some expected values being less than five. This experiment looked into possible ways to enhance and increase the rate of bioremediation.