Harnessing the Hidden Power of Fungi to Clean Contaminated Soil and Water

Mycoremediation in Action:

In the evolving landscape of environmental science, one of the most promising yet underappreciated approaches to detoxifying polluted ecosystems comes not from laboratories filled with synthetic chemicals, nor from industrial-scale mechanical filtration systems, but from the forest floor—from fungi. Known as mycoremediation, this cutting-edge field involves the use of fungi and their enzymatic by-products to degrade, detoxify, or immobilise a wide array of environmental pollutants, ranging from industrial chemicals to heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and hydrocarbons. While the concept of using biological organisms for remediation is not new, the application of fungal species—especially in conjunction with modern biotechnology—represents an exciting frontier in sustainable environmental recovery. In July 2025, a comprehensive scientific review published in *Discover Environment* brought renewed attention to the incredible capabilities of fungal systems in remediating soil and water contamination. The review highlights the molecular mechanisms behind enzymatic degradation, the potential of symbiotic plant-fungal relationships, and the field-level successes of various fungal consortia deployed in real-world scenarios. For organisations like BioGlobe, committed to deploying organic enzyme solutions to treat everything from oil spills to sewage-laced wetlands, mycoremediation offers a powerful addition to the remediation toolkit, particularly for pollutants that resist bacterial breakdown or chemical treatment. Fungi, especially white-rot and brown-rot varieties, possess a suite of ligninolytic enzymes—such as laccases, manganese peroxidases, lignin peroxidases, and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases—that allow them to break down some of the most structurally complex and recalcitrant compounds found in the environment. These enzymes operate by attacking the molecular backbones of pollutants, opening aromatic rings, oxidising hydrocarbons, and rendering synthetic chemicals biologically inactive.

One of the reasons fungi are so effective in this regard is their ecological role as primary decomposers. Unlike bacteria, which tend to be substrate-specific and rely on dissolved nutrients, many fungi secrete extracellular enzymes that allow them to act on solid substrates like wood, plastics, textiles, and contaminated soil. This makes them uniquely capable of accessing and degrading pollutants embedded in organic matter or trapped in the soil matrix. Research has demonstrated that certain fungal strains, such as *Phanerochaete chrysosporium*, *Pleurotus ostreatus*, and *Trametes versicolor*, can break down polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated pesticides, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and even per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are notoriously difficult to treat using conventional methods. In field studies, fungal bioreactors have been used to treat textile effluents rich in synthetic dyes, often achieving decolourisation rates of over 90% and complete toxicity neutralisation. In another example, fungi were deployed in a mycoremediation project in a former landfill site contaminated with petroleum derivatives. Within weeks, the concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbons was reduced by over 60%, with further improvements observed over time. These successes are largely due to the metabolic flexibility and robust enzymatic systems of the fungi involved. But the power of mycoremediation goes beyond individual fungal species.

The most effective strategies often involve fungal consortia—carefully selected combinations of multiple fungi that work together, each bringing a unique enzymatic repertoire to the task. For example, combining lignin-degrading Basidiomycetes with phosphate-solubilising Ascomycetes has been shown to accelerate both pollutant degradation and soil recovery. Furthermore, the integration of fungi with phytoremediation systems—where plants and their fungal partners are co-cultivated—has led to synergistic effects, boosting contaminant uptake, improving soil structure, and enhancing microbial biodiversity. Such symbiotic systems are particularly effective in remediating agricultural lands tainted with pesticides and fertiliser runoff, where restoring soil fertility is as important as removing pollutants. The practical implementation of mycoremediation has become increasingly viable due to advances in biotechnology and formulation science. Immobilisation techniques, such as embedding fungal spores or mycelia into biochar, alginate beads, or composted organic matter, allow for controlled release and sustained activity in challenging environments. Enzymes extracted from fungi can also be stabilised and applied directly, either as spray-on biocatalysts or as part of enzyme-infused barriers in leachate control systems.

These approaches improve scalability and allow mycoremediation to be adapted to industrial sites, urban green spaces, agricultural plots, and aquatic ecosystems. Importantly, fungal systems also offer secondary benefits. Many mycoremediation projects have shown that, in addition to detoxifying the environment, fungi contribute to ecosystem regeneration by enriching the soil with humus, stimulating native microbial activity, and even producing valuable by-products such as organic acids, biofertilisers, and chitosan. This aligns with circular economy principles, allowing waste treatment to also become a source of new materials or agricultural inputs. Despite these advantages, there are challenges to be addressed. Environmental variables such as pH, temperature, moisture content, and competing microbial populations can affect fungal growth and enzyme activity. Moreover, not all fungal species are equally adaptable to contaminated environments, and substrate compatibility remains a limiting factor in many cases. However, ongoing research is tackling these issues head-on. Genetic engineering and strain selection are improving fungal tolerance to stressors, while formulation innovations are increasing stability and functional lifespans. Encouragingly, studies have shown that even native, wild-type fungi—when properly cultivated—can outperform synthetic treatments in many real-world contexts. Regulatory frameworks are also beginning to accommodate fungal technologies, particularly in Europe, where governments are seeking low-impact, sustainable remediation strategies to meet ambitious soil and water quality targets under the European Green Deal.

For countries like the UK, with legacy industrial pollution, ageing infrastructure, and growing demand for eco-friendly remediation, fungi offer a realistic path forward. Already, academic institutions and municipal authorities are experimenting with fungal-based remediation on brownfield sites, decommissioned landfills, and nutrient-saturated riverbanks. BioGlobe sees mycoremediation not only as a scientific innovation but as a natural complement to our existing enzyme solutions. In sites where bacterial enzymes have difficulty accessing pollutants, fungi can bridge the gap. In soil systems requiring structural regeneration, fungal networks improve porosity and nutrient cycling. And in contexts where community-led clean-up is preferred, the low-cost, biodegradable, and locally cultivable nature of fungi makes them ideal. By integrating mycoremediation into our project design, we can offer clients a broader, more adaptive service offering—one that is rooted in nature, backed by evidence, and scalable across industries.

Moreover, fungi open the door to community engagement and educational opportunities. From schools growing mushrooms on coffee grounds to citizen-led river clean-ups using fungal barriers, the visible, tactile nature of fungi makes them excellent ambassadors for bioremediation awareness. At BioGlobe, we are developing outreach programmes to teach the next generation about the power of enzymes—fungal, bacterial, and synthetic alike—in restoring planetary health. In doing so, we hope to inspire innovation, accountability, and resilience in environmental practice. Looking ahead, the potential of mycoremediation will only grow. Future research is focusing on fungal interactions with nanomaterials, which may enhance pollutant adsorption and catalysis. Hybrid systems that combine fungal enzymatic activity with AI-guided pollutant tracking are also in development. And as enzyme characterisation continues to improve, new fungal species from extreme environments—arctic soils, desert biocrusts, deep-sea sediments—are being screened for previously unknown capabilities.

This growing database of enzymatic tools is already feeding into platforms like XenoBug, where bacterial and fungal sequences can be compared and modelled for precision treatment. BioGlobe is actively exploring partnerships to incorporate fungal data into our own formulation algorithms. Ultimately, mycoremediation is not a silver bullet, but it is a powerful ally in the broader strategy of organic enzyme remediation. It represents the kind of low-tech, high-impact, biologically aligned innovation the world needs to meet the environmental challenges of the coming decades. With the right investment, regulatory support, and cross-sector collaboration, fungi will not remain at the fringe of remediation—they will become central to it.

At BioGlobe, we are proud to support and promote this transition. For clients, investors, and stakeholders interested in exploring mycoremediation as part of a holistic environmental remediation strategy, we welcome collaboration. Together, we can move from pollutant control to ecosystem restoration, from chemical quick-fixes to biologically informed design. The future is not synthetic—it is symbiotic. And fungi, humble though they may appear, are among the most powerful agents of change we have. If you would like to learn more about how BioGlobe integrates fungal enzyme solutions into bespoke environmental projects or to co-develop a site-specific fungal remediation plan, please contact our team today.

Bioglobe offer Enzyme pollution remediation for major oil-spills, oceans and coastal waters, marinas and inland water, sewage and nitrate remediation and also agriculture and brown-field sites, globally.

For further information:
BioGlobe LTD (UK),
22 Highfield Street,
Leicester LE2 1AB
Phone: +44(0) 116 4736303| Email: info@bioglobe.co.uk