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THE RELEASE OF METALLIC AND SILICATE IONS FROM MINERALS, ROCKS, AND SOILS BY FUNGAL ACTIVITY
Author(s) -
HENDERSON MOIRA E. K.,
DUFF R. B.
Publication year - 1963
Publication title -
journal of soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.244
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2389
pISSN - 0022-4588
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2389.1963.tb00949.x
Subject(s) - silicate , oxalic acid , weathering , silicate minerals , metal ions in aqueous solution , metal , soil water , mineral , chemistry , citric acid , decomposition , mineralogy , environmental chemistry , inorganic chemistry , geology , geochemistry , organic chemistry , soil science
Summary The decomposition of silicate minerals and related substances by fungi has been investigated using two techniques: (a) the incorporation of the mineral material in agar medium, when its breakdown is indicated by the formation of clear zones round the fungal growth; (b) the determination of the metal and silicate ions, derived from the insoluble materials and brought into solution as a result of fungal activity in liquid medium. Strains of fungi which produced citric and/or oxalic acid proved to be effective in decomposing certain natural silicates, while an oxalic acid‐producing strain also released metallic ions and silica from rocks and soils. A possible role of fungi in biological weathering is discussed.