Evaluation of the efficiency of biologically synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using the fungus Trametes sp. in removing heavy metals and salts from well water

• Ghazi Shames*1,a) Ibrahim Omar Saeed,1,b) Sara Qahtan Suliaman 1,c)

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White Root Fungi are a group of basidiomycetous fungus, including many species, such as Trametes sp. The study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of biologically synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using the fungus Trametes sp. in removing heavy metals and salts from well water. The macrofungal sample was collected from dead trunks of willow trees (Salix sp.) in the Hurman area, Sulaymaniyah Province, Iraq, during April 2025. The selected fungus was identified based on morphological, microscopic, and molecular characteristics. ITS sequence analysis confirmed the fungus as Trametes trogii, and the sequence was deposited in GenBank under accession number PZ427876.1.The fungal extract was used for the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs). The biosynthesized ZnO-NPs from Trametes extract were applied at concentrations of 0.5 gram, 1 gram and 2 gram for the treatment of contaminated well water with heavy metals and salts. The results showed that Trametes trogii extract in combination with ZnO nanoparticles was very effective in the enhancement of the physicochemical quality of heavy metal contaminated water as well as saline water. As the concentration of the extracts increased, the electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) all decreased, suggesting that the extracts were effective in removing dissolved ions and organic pollutants. The removal of the heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, As and Cr also decreased significantly, with the highest removal being observed at 2 g treatment level. The acid–base balance of the water was not negatively impacted by the treatment process, as the pH values did not drop into the acidic range

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