Effects of temperature on metal tolerance and the accumulation of Zn and Pb by metal-tolerant fungi isolated from urban runoff treatment wetlands

Purchase, Diane ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8071-4385, Scholes, Lian N. L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1155-4132, Revitt, D. Mike and Shutes, R. Brian E. (2009) Effects of temperature on metal tolerance and the accumulation of Zn and Pb by metal-tolerant fungi isolated from urban runoff treatment wetlands. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 106 (4) . pp. 1163-1174. ISSN 1364-5072 [Article] (doi:10.1111/j.1365-2672.2008.04082.x)

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the ability of two fungi to accumulate Zn and Pb, the effect of temperature on their metal tolerance and possible mechanisms involved in metal accumulation.
Methods and results: Beauveria bassiana and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa isolated from constructed wetlands receiving urban runoff were grown in modified glycerol asparagine medium containing elevated levels of Zn and Pb at 30°C. Beauveria bassiana accumulated up to 0·64% of available Zn and 8·44% of Pb. The corresponding values for R. mucilaginosa were up to 2·05% for Zn and 16·55% for Pb. Radial growth of colonies grown at 4° and 30°C on agar containing Zn or Pb indicated that metal tolerance was not seriously affected by a decrease in temperature. Transmission electron microscopy and emission dispersion x-ray spectrophotometry suggested that the mechanism of resistance in B. bassiana may be associated with the precipitation of Pb (possibly in the form of oxalates).
Conclusion: The processes of biosorption could potentially occur throughout the year with both living and dead cells able to accumulate metals.
Significance and Impact of the Study: Identified precipitation processes could be an important mechanism in metal removal in wetland substrates serving as long-term storage sinks.

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