The miniaturization and optimization of a white rot fungal bioremediation experiment is described in this paper. The optimized procedure allows determination of the degradation kinetics of anthracene. The miniaturized procedure requires only 2.5 ml of culture medium. The experiment is more precise, robust, and better controlled comparing it to classical tests in flasks. Using this technique, different parts, i.e., the culture medium, the fungi, and the cotton seal, can be analyzed. A simple sample preparation speeds up the analytical process. Experiments performed show degradation of anthracene up to approximately 60% by Irpex lacteus and up to approximately 40% by Pleurotus ostreatus in 25 days. Bioremediation of anthracene by the consortium of I. lacteus and P. ostreatus shows the biodegradation of anthracene up to approximately 56% in 23 days. At the end of the experiment, the surface tension of culture medium decreased comparing it to the blank, indicating generation of surfactant compounds.

A dangerous invader Heracleum sosnowskyi successfully spreads along roads, riverbanks and has naturalized in Lithuanian habitats and plant communities. It out-competes native species, thus changing ecosystems diversity, pushing autochthone species from native habitats, decreasing biodiversity and transforming landscape. This paper aims to evaluate H. sosnowskyi spread and establishment on habitat scale in Lithuania. Data on abundance, spatial distribution and contribution of H. sosnowskyi to plant biodiversity were collected from natural and anthropogenic habitats. Another objective was to evaluate the speed of spread in an infected landscape. Local assessments of the abundance of H. sosnowskyi by estimating variables of spatial penetrating and establishment in native plant communities on an individual block scale were carried out. Four population types with different density and coverage of species individuals were found. Species abundance was structured according to the distance from highway and significantly correlated (r = 0.7) with native plant community type. This species finds opportunities for colonization and reproduction resulting in decrease of natural diversity.

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