title: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in phytoremediation of contaminated areas by trace elements: mechanisms and major benefits of their applications.
abstract: In recent decades, the concentration of trace elements has increased in soil and water, mainly by industrialization and urbanization. Recovery of contaminated areas is generally complex. In that respect, microorganisms can be of vital importance by making significant contributions towards the establishment of plants and the stabilization of impacted areas. Among the available strategies for environmental recovery, bioremediation and phytoremediation outstand. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are considered the most important type of mycorrhizae for phytoremediation. AMF have broad occurrence in contaminated soils, and evidences suggest they improve plant tolerance to excess of certain trace elements. In this review, the use of AMF in phytoremediation and mechanisms involved in their trace element tolerance are discussed. Additionally, we present some techniques used to study the retention of trace elements by AMF, as well as a summary of studies showing major benefits of AMF for phytoremediation.
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Chemistry, Biology and Agriculture - CPQBA, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Mailbox: 6171, Campinas, SP, 13081-970, Brazil. luc.g.cabral@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lucélia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (CCB/MIP), Center of Biological Science, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claúdio Roberto Fonsêca Sousa
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (CCB/MIP), Center of Biological Science, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Admir José
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Giachini
authors.affiliation: Vale Institute of Technology Sustainable Development, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955 (Nazaré), Belém, PA, 66055-090, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Oswaldo
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Siqueira
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D038821:Mycorrhizae / Q000502:physiology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000382:microbiology; D010944:Plants / Q000382:microbiology; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014131:Trace Elements
keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; Contaminated soils; Morphological and genetic mechanisms; Phytoremediation; Trace elements