A Sporothrix variecibatus-inoculated biotrickling filter (BTF) was examined for styrene removal, without and with the addition of silicone oil, at different empty bed residence times. The highest elimination capacities (ECs) were 172.8 (without silicone oil) and 670 g m(-3)h(-1) (with silicone oil), respectively, corresponding to a 4-fold improvement in presence of oil. The addition of silicone oil formed a well-coalesced emulsion of fungi and silicone oil, resulting in filter-bed clogging. Clogging prevention strategies adopted were; (i) lowering the volume ratio of silicone oil from 10% to 2% (v/v), and (ii) periodic increase in trickling rate of the medium from 50 to 190 mL min(-1). During shock-load experiments, the BTF with silicone oil (2% v/v) could withstand high styrene loads, of up to 1900 g m(-3)h(-1), when compared to the BTF without silicone oil (400 g m(-3)h(-1)). Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.