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In the current work, activated carbon monoliths have been prepared by application of different phenolic hydrocarbons namely catechol and resorcinol as carbon precursors. For synthesis of carbon monolith, the precursors have been mixed with Genapol PF-10 as template and then polymerized in the presence of lysine as catalyst. Then the polymerized monolith carbonized in inert atmosphere at 700°C and activated by water steam at 550°C. It was found that resorcinol polymerization is easier than catechol and occurred at 90°C while for polymerization of catechol elevated temperature of 120°C at hydrothermal condition is necessary. The prepared activated carbon samples have been characterized by various analysis methods including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface area measurement, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The adsorptions of three different aromatic hydrocarbons by the prepared activated carbon samples have also been investigated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and UV–Vis spectroscopy. It was found that carbon monolith prepared by catechol as carbon precursor has higher adsorpability and strength in comparison with the other sample. The higher performance of carbon monolith prepared by catechol can be associated with its higher active sites in comparison with resorcinol.

Sixteen strains of filamentous fungi were isolated from soil samples collected from Livingston Island, Antarctica. The isolates’ taxonomic identifications were performed based on morpho-dimensional parameters following the most suitable identification keys for the different genera. The affiliation of the investigated strains was established to the particular genera. The obtained fungal isolates were members mostly to the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus and Cladosporium. All strains were studied for their ability to adapt to aromatics containing media. Most of the investigated strains demonstrated good tolerance to the presence of 0.5 g/l phenol in the culture medium. More than that the investigations showed that strains were able to grow in a culture medium containing phenol in concentrations varying form 0.1 to 0.7 g/l as a single source of carbon and energy. The experiments carried out with hydroxyl-, methyl- and nitro- phenol derivatives revealed the capability of some of the strains to grow and utilize various of these aromatic compounds. The strains Aspergillus sp. AL1, Aspergillus sp. AL8, Aspergillus AL9, Aspergillus sp. AL15, Penicillium sp. AL5 and Penicillium AL11 were able to grow and utilize as a sole carbon sources 0.3 g/l of each examined aromatic compound. There were not found strains able to utilize any of the tested nitrophenols. The representatives of Cladosporium as well as strain Lecanicillium sp. AL12 did not show any capability to degrade phenol derivatives.