Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Microbial reduction of soluble selenium (Se) or tellurium (Te) species results in immobilization as elemental forms and this process has been employed in soil bioremediation. However, little is known of direct and indirect fungal interactions with Se-/Te-bearing ores. In this research, the ability of Phoma glomerata to effect transformation of selenite and tellurite was investigated including interaction with Se and Te present in sulfide ores from the Kisgruva Proterozoic volcanogenic deposit. Phoma glomerata could precipitate elemental Se and Te as nanoparticles, intracellularly and extracellularly, when grown with selenite or tellurite. The nanoparticles possessed various surface capping molecules, with formation being influenced by extracellular polymeric substances. The presence of sulfide ore also affected the production of exopolysaccharide and protein. Although differences were undetectable in gross Se and Te ore levels before and after fungal interaction using X-ray fluorescence, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry of polished flat ore surfaces revealed that P. glomerata could effect changes in Se/Te distribution and concentration indicating Se/Te enrichment in the biomass. These findings provide further understanding of fungal roles in metalloid transformations and are relevant to the geomicrobiology of environmental metalloid cycling as well as informing applied approaches for Se and Te immobilization, biorecovery or bioremediation.
Highlights
SummaryMicrobial reduction of soluble selenium (Se) or tellurium (Te) species results in immobilization as elemental forms and this process has been employed in soil bioremediation
In order to examine the effects of Se and Te oxyanions on growth and morphology, 1 mM sodium selenite or sodium tellurite was incorporated in AP1 liquid media and growth of P. glomerata recorded after 30 days
The subcellular architecture of P. glomerata was investigated using a confocal microscope after addition of Hoechst 33342 which reveals nuclear distribution
Summary
Selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te) species can be transformed through oxidation, reduction, methylation and demethylation by microorganisms (Gadd, 1993; Jacob et al, 2016; Eswayah et al, 2016). Aspergillus niger can mediate direct and indirect bioleaching of cobalt from low grade laterite and pyritic ores (Yang et al, 2019, 2020) Fungal bioweathering, involving both mineral dissolution and biomineralization mechanisms, has been demonstrated for silicate and sulfide ores (Wei et al, 2012a, 2013), manganese oxides including birnessite (Wei et al, 2012b), mimetite (Ceci et al, 2015a), and vanadinite (Ceci et al, 2015b). Investigation of fungal interactions with Kisgruva sulfide ore can provide understanding of how heterogeneously distributed critical elements, like Se and Te, may be transformed or accumulated by fungi This may be significant for environmental metalloid cycling as well as novel approaches for Se and Te immobilization, bioremediation or biorecovery. Specific objectives were to characterize extracellular and intracellular deposition of Se and Te nanoparticles, including the role of extracellular polymeric substances, effects of Se/Te oxyanions on growth and morphology, and fungal accumulation of Se and Te from resources present in the sulfide ores
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
