Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent environmental pollutants with detrimental effects on ecosystems and human health. This abstract summarizes a groundbreaking study that identified fungi capable of degrading PAHs in sediments associated with anaerobic coal deposits at a depth of 3 kilometers. The researchers employed molecular techniques to isolate and identify these PAH-degrading fungi and conducted laboratory experiments to confirm their degradation potential. The study revealed a diverse range of fungal strains, including previously unknown species, highlighting the adaptability of fungi in extreme subsurface environments. The degradation mechanism involved enzymatic processes, providing potential pathways for developing bioremediation strategies. This discovery expands our understanding of fungal biodiversity and offers promising opportunities for natural attenuation and environmental remediation of PAH pollution.