Accumulation of Heavy Metals by Fungi in the Cities of Central Black Earth Region

Abstract

Emissions of heavy metals into the environment lead to their accumulation in living organisms. This article presents the data on the accumulation of heavy metals in the fungi fruit in urban ecotopes of cities in the Western part of the Central Black Earth region. The features of accumulation of heavy metals by macromycetes of different taxonomic affiliation and ecological specialization under multi-level anthropogenic burden are studied. It was noted that MAC of Cadmium (Cd) in edible fungi can be in large excess over 88 times, lead (Pb) – 87 times, copper (Cu) – 6.8 times, zink (Zn) – 6.1 times. The accumulation of heavy metals by macromycetes can be determined by the degree of soil pollution, the bioavailability of heavy metals, as well as environmental specialization of fungi. The highest concentrations of heavy metals were recorded in the fruit bodies of soil and litter saprophytes. Cantharellus cibarius (L.), Murrill, Agaricus melleus (Vahl), Agaricus equestris L. were universal accumulators of Cd, Zn and Cu. Leccinum scabrum (Bull.) Gray, Kuehneromyces mutabilis (Schaeff.) Singer & A.H. Sm., Myxocollybia velutipes (Curtis) Singer are defined as selective Cd accumulators.