Fungal Mineralization Processes in Rio Tinto

Abstract

Eukaryotic diversity in Río Tinto turns out to be unexpectedly high when compared to the prokaryotic one. Unlike the prokaryotic community, little is known about the role of the most abundant eukaryotes, mainly algae and fungi, in this ecosystem. Previous studies using acidophilic fungi isolated from the Tinto basin have shown their ability to specifically sequester toxic metals. We have also been able to demonstrate their direct implication in the geochemical cycles through biomineralization processes. Although the role that fungi may play in the Tinto basin is still poorly understood, is becoming clear that they participate very actively in the geological conformation of the environment, generating minerals of possible economical interest.