Biodegradation and bioconversion of coals by fungi: Final report
The project obtained in laboratory culture new varieties of fungi capable of bioconverting solid coals directly to liquid products, and characterized the rate and extent of bioconversion activity on a variety of coal types. Several hundred fungal isolates were screened for bioconversions of weathered lignite. At least 30 apparently unique strains displayed lignite biconversion activity. Each of the new lignite-solubilizing strains was assayed for comparative activity on three different weathered, Gulf Coast lignites. Different strains exhibited differing degrees of activity on the different lignites. Degeree of natural weathering appeared to be positively correlated with biosolubility of the three lignites. Taxonomic studies were made on selected fungal isolates; identifications to level of genus were made where possible. Cultures of some of the selected strains were sent to several research laboratories where the new strains have been applied to coal bioconversion research. Selected fungal strains were tested for bioconversions of other coals. Some of the highly weathered, higher-ranked coals were solubilized; others, even though weathered, were resistant to bioconversion. A quantitative assay technique was developed and, applied to selected fungi acting on several coals. Time-course measurements revealed marked differences in pattern, rate, and degree of solubilization of different coals by different organisms. 15 refs., 4 figs., 9 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Mississippi Univ., University (USA). Dept. of Biology
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG22-85PC80913
- OSTI ID:
- 5150382
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/PC/80913-8; ON: DE88006665
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Biodegradation and bioconversion of coals by fungi. Quarterly progress report No. 3, April 1-June 30, 1986
Biodegradation and bioconversions of coals by fungi. Quarterly progress report No. 4, July 1-September 30, 1986
Related Subjects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BITUMINOUS COAL
BIODEGRADATION
COAL
BIOCONVERSION
SUBBITUMINOUS COAL
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DISSOLUTION
FUNGI
LIGNITE
MICROORGANISMS
OXIDATION
PROGRESS REPORT
TIME DEPENDENCE
WEATHERING
BLACK COAL
BROWN COAL
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MATERIALS
PLANTS
010600* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Properties & Composition
010405 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Hydrogenation & Liquefaction
550700 - Microbiology