Bioremediation of 2-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins contaminated soil using dairy waste amendments in microcosm study

Abstract

Chlorinated dioxins are globally distributed toxic compounds that pose serious risks to environmental and public health, necessitating sustainable remediation strategies. This study evaluated the use of organic dairy waste (cow dung and whey) as nutrient amendments to enhance microbial degradation of dioxin-contaminated soils. Results demonstrated that nutrient fortification stimulated indigenous microbial activity and supported effective biodegradation of 2-chlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (2-CDD) in both sterilized and unsterilized soils. The difference in the removal efficiency of 2-CDD using cow dung and whey was not significant. The findings highlight that low-cost organic waste amendments can reduce dioxin remediation cost while minimizing waste generation. This work provides novel evidence that tropical soils can be sustainably remediated through biostimulation, offering practical relevance for agricultural and environmental management.