title: Microfungi in highly copper-contaminated soils from an abandoned Fe-Cu sulphide mine: growth responses, tolerance and bioaccumulation.
abstract: 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 400 mg L(-1). Moreover, the strains of T. harzianum and C. rosea presented a high Cu(II)-bioaccumulation capability, 19628 and 22,222 mg kg(-1), respectively. These microfungi may be fruitfully exploited in mycoremediation protocols.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Mycology, DISTAV Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell'Ambiente e della Vita, University of Genoa, Corso Dogali, 1 M, I 16136 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Mirca
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zotti
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Mycology, DISTAV Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell'Ambiente e della Vita, University of Genoa, Corso Dogali, 1 M, I 16136 Genova, Italy. Electronic address: simone.dipiazza@unige.it.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Piazza
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Mycology, DISTAV Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell'Ambiente e della Vita, University of Genoa, Corso Dogali, 1 M, I 16136 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roccotiello
authors.affiliation: DISTAV Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell'Ambiente e della Vita, University of Genoa, Corso Europa, 26, I 16136 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lucchetti
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Mycology, DISTAV Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell'Ambiente e della Vita, University of Genoa, Corso Dogali, 1 M, I 16136 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro Giorgio
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mariotti
authors.affiliation: DISTAV Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell'Ambiente e della Vita, University of Genoa, Corso Europa, 26, I 16136 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marescotti
mesh_terms: D001230:Aspergillus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006999:Hypocreales / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D007558:Italy; D008906:Mining; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D014242:Trichoderma / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D014404:Tubulin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014404:Tubulin; D003300:Copper
keywords: Bare soil; Derelict mine; Fungi; Metal tolerance