Geomycology: fungi in mineral substrata

Euan P. Burford, Martin Kierans, Geoffrey M. Gadd

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    177 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    'Geomycology' can be defined as the impact of fungi on geological processes, including the alteration and weathering of rocks and minerals, the accumulation of metals and their role in nutrient cycling and influence on proliferation of microbial communities in mineral substrates. Although many studies on microbial interactions with minerals have been published in recent years, the main focus of geomicrobiology has been on prokaryotes. Recently, it has become apparent that epi- and endolithic fungi comprise a significant component of the microflora in a wide range of rocks including siliceous types (silica, silicates and aluminosilicates), sandstone, granite, limestone, marble and gypsum. However, to date little is known about their in situ growth patterns or biogeochemical roles in such an environment. The aim of this article is to highlight our recent work on the biogeochemical roles of fungi inhabiting limestone (CaCO3) and dolomite (CaMg(CO3) 2) rocks and to emphasise the importance of fungi as agents of geological change.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)98-107
    Number of pages10
    JournalMycologist
    Volume17
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Aug 2003

    Keywords

    • Dolomite
    • Endolithic
    • Epilithic
    • Fungi
    • Limestone
    • Minerals
    • Rocks

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Plant Science

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