Biodegradation and bioconversion of coals by fungi. Quarterly progress report No. 1, October 1-December 31, 1985. [Candida sp. and T. versicolor]

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:6321300

Ward, B

Following a month-long start-up period during which the principal investigator traveled to several sites of lignite outcrops to collect samples, efforts were begun to isolate new strains of coal-bioconverting fungal strains. Out of about thirty different organisms isolated from weathered samples of three different types of lignite, three isolates exhibited biosolubilization of the one lignite tested to date. These organisms have not yet been identified but they appear to be new strains of lignite-degrading fungi. We have observed that degree of biosolubilization varies among apparently similar samples of the same lignite. Weathered lignite is more readily solubilized than is previously unexposed lignite, but even tests on weathered coal have not been consistently repeatable. We have begun experiments designed to identify one or more factors of weathering which render coal more readily attacked by fungi. We hope to establish methods whereby consistently repeatable assays can be performed on bioconversion of coals. 2 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Mississippi Univ., University (USA). Dept. of Biology
• DOE Contract Number: FG22-85PC80913
• OSTI ID: 6321300
• Report Number(s): DOE/PC/80913-1; ON: DE86005168
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
FUNGI
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
LIGNITE
BIODEGRADATION
WEATHERING
BIOCONVERSION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
BROWN COAL
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MATERIALS
PLANTS
010405* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Hydrogenation & Liquefaction