Microfungi in highly copper-contaminated soils from an abandoned Fe–Cu sulphide mine: Growth responses, tolerance and bioaccumulation

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2014-12, Vol.117, p.471-476
• Main Authors: Zotti, Mirca, Di Piazza, Simone, Roccotiello, Enrica, Lucchetti, Gabriella, Mariotti, Mauro Giorgio, Marescotti, Pietro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Aspergillus - genetics; Aspergillus - growth & development; Aspergillus - metabolism; Aspergillus alliaceus; Bare soil; Bioaccumulation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Clonostachys rosea; Copper; Copper - metabolism; Decontamination. Miscellaneous; Derelict mine; Environment and pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fungal Proteins - genetics; Fungal Proteins - metabolism; Fungi; Hypocreales - genetics; Hypocreales - growth & development; Hypocreales - metabolism; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Iron; Italy; Metal tolerance; Mines; Mining; Miscellaneous; Molecular Sequence Data; Pollution; Sampling; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Soil and sediments pollution; Soil Pollutants - metabolism; Soils; Strain; Sulfides; Trichoderma - genetics; Trichoderma - growth & development; Trichoderma - metabolism; Tubulin - genetics; Tubulin - metabolism
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.08.057

•Fungi can play a key role in metal-polluted ecosystems via colonization and decontamination.•Clonostachys rosea, Trichoderma harzianum, and Aspergillus alliaceus were tested at increasing Cu(II).•The strains showed a Cu(II)-tolerance capability ranging from 100 to 400mgL−1.•The strains of T. harzianum and C. rosea presented a high Cu(II)-bioaccumulation capability.•These microfungi may be fruitfully exploited in mycoremediation protocols. Copper is one of the most dangerous soil contaminants. Soils affected by high copper concentrations show low biodiversity and, above all, inadequate environmental quality. Microorganisms such as fungi can play a key role in metal-polluted ecosystems via colonization and decontamination. The study is devoted to characterize the microfungal community in highly Cu-contaminated bare soil from derelict Fe–Cu sulphide mines and to isolate microfungal strains able to tolerate and accumulate Cu. 11 Different taxa to be isolated has been isolated during two sampling campaigns (in Autumn and in Spring). Among these, Clonostachys rosea, Trichoderma harzianum, and Aspergillus alliaceus were tested at increasing Cu(II) concentrations and showed a Cu(II)-tolerance capability ranging from 100 to 400mgL−1. Moreover, the strains of T. harzianum and C. rosea presented a high Cu(II)-bioaccumulation capability, 19628 and 22222mgkg−1, respectively. These microfungi may be fruitfully exploited in mycoremediation protocols.