| Abstract Detail
Mycological Section Torres Cruz, Terry Jarianna [1], Porras-Alfaro, Andrea [2], Kuske, Cheryl R. [3], Hesse, Cedar Nelson [3]. Heavy Metal Tolerant Fungi in Surface Soils of a Temperate Pine Forest. The release of heavy metals in the environment has increased continuously due to industrial activities. Several technologies have been developed to clean heavy metal contaminated soils, but they tend to be inefficient and expensive. Heavy metal tolerant fungi have been described in contaminated soils and water, but it is unknown how abundant and diverse they are in natural ecosystems. The objective of this project was to isolate and identify heavy metal tolerant fungi from a temperate pine forest (Duke Forest, NC) and to determine their potential role for mycoremediation. Soil serial dilutions were inoculated on MEA medium supplemented with streptomycin (0.05 mg/l) and tetracycline (0.05 mg/l), with metal concentrations between 100 ppm and 1000 ppm of FeSO4, ZnSO4, CuSO4, Al2(SO4)3, Pb(NO3)2, Cr(NO3)3, NiCl2, CdCl2, and K2Cr2O7. Samples were incubated at 25°C. The rRNA gene regions from fungal isolates were sequenced and fungi identified using curated databases and phylogenic analysis. Presence of heavy metals on media reduced the growth of fast growing fungi and promoted the growth of rare morphotypes. A total of 439 isolates were obtained, from which the majority were isolated in Pb media and the least from Cr and Al. A total of 61 unique Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) were identified at 97% similarity. The most common and diverse genera isolated were Penicillium and Trichoderma, with 74 and 61 isolates, representing 9 and 8 different unique OTUs, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed for Trichoderma and Penicillium showing that Duke Forest soils may contain potential novel species for both genera. Some genera isolated in this study have not been reported or tested as heavy metal tolerant, including Umbelopsis, Pochonia, Geomyces, Trichocladium, Bionectria and Ilyonectria. Additional markers will be used to resolve the phylogenetic placement of novel isolates. Distribution and abundance of metal resistant taxa will be determined using Illumina sequences that were obtained from the same soils. This research supports the fact that soils lacking heavy metal contaminants contain a great diversity of microorganisms with potential for bioremediation.
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1 - Western Illinois University, Biological Sciences, 707 Auburn Drive, Macomb, IL, 61455, USA
2 - Western Illinois University, Biology, Waggoner Hall, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL, 61455, USA
3 - Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos, NM, 87544, USA
Keywords:
heavy metals
Fungi
Soil
Bioremediation.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PMY057
Abstract ID:705
Candidate for Awards:MSA Best Poster Presentation Award by a Graduate Student |
