Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1021/es300810b
Title (Primary) Mycelia promote active transport and spatial dispersion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Author Furuno, S.; Foss, S.; Wild, E.; Jones, K.C.; Semple, K.T.; Harms, H.; Wick, L.Y.
Source Titel Environmental Science & Technology
Year 2012
Department UMB
Volume 46
Issue 10
Page From 5463
Page To 5470
Language englisch
Abstract

To cope with heterogeneous subsurface environments mycelial microorganisms have developed a unique ramified growth form. By extending hyphae, they can obtain nutrients from remote places and transport them even through air gaps and in small pore spaces, repectively. To date, studies have been focusing on the role that networks play in the distribution of nutrients. Here, we investigated the role of mycelia for the translocation of nonessential substances, using polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as model compounds. We show that the hyphae of the mycelial soil oomycete Pythium ultimum function as active translocation vectors for a wide range of PAHs. Visualization by two-photon excitation microscopy (TPEM) demonstrated the uptake and accumulation of phenanthrene (PHE) in lipid vesicles and its active transport by cytoplasmic streaming of the hyphae (‘hyphal pipelines’). In mycelial networks, contaminants were translocated over larger distances than by diffusion. Given their transport capacity and ubiquity, hyphae may substantially distribute remote hydrophobic contaminants in soil, thereby improving their bioavailability to bacterial degradation. Hyphal contaminant dispersal may provide an untapped potential for future bioremediation approaches.

Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=12528
Furuno, S., Foss, S., Wild, E., Jones, K.C., Semple, K.T., Harms, H., Wick, L.Y. (2012):
Mycelia promote active transport and spatial dispersion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Environ. Sci. Technol. 46 (10), 5463 - 5470 10.1021/es300810b