Nanoscale channels on ectomycorrhizal-colonized chlorite: Evidence for plant-driven fungal dissolution

The roots of many trees in temperate and boreal forests are sheathed with ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) that extend into the soil, forming intimate contact with soil minerals, from which they absorb nutrient elements required by the plants and, in return, are supported by the organic carbon photosynth...

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Published in:Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences 2012-09, Vol.117 (G3), p.n/a
Main Authors: Gazzè, Salvatore A., Saccone, Loredana, Vala Ragnarsdottir, K., Smits, Mark M., Duran, Adele L., Leake, Jonathan R., Banwart, Steven A., McMaster, Terence J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AFM
Biogeochemistry
Boreal forests
chlorite
Climate change
dissolution
Earth
ectomycorrhizal
fungi
Geobiology
Materials science
Organic carbon
Topography
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Summary:The roots of many trees in temperate and boreal forests are sheathed with ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) that extend into the soil, forming intimate contact with soil minerals, from which they absorb nutrient elements required by the plants and, in return, are supported by the organic carbon photosynthesized by the trees. While EMF are strongly implicated in mineral weathering, their effects on mineral surfaces at the nanoscale are less documented. In the present study, we investigated the effects of symbiotic EMF on the topography of a chlorite mineral using atomic force microscopy. A cleaning protocol was successfully applied to remove fungal hyphae without altering the underlying mineral structure and topography. Examination of the exposed chlorite surface showed the presence of primary channels, of the order of a micron in width and up to 50 nm in depth, the morphology of which strongly indicates a fungal‐induced origin. Smaller secondary channels were observed extending from the primary channels and would appear to be involved in their enlargement. The presence of channels is the first nanoscale demonstration of the effects of fungal interaction, fuelled by plant photosynthate, on the topography of a chlorite mineral, and it provides clear evidence of the ability of EMF to enhance mineral dissolution. Key Points Channels produced on chlorite due to fungal colonization Axenic microcosm ‐ fungi the only living organisms in contact with the mineral Ectomycorrhizal fungi, in symbiosis with tree roots in microcosm
ISSN:0148-0227
2169-8953
2156-2202
2169-8961
DOI:10.1029/2012JG002016