Heavy Metal Content in Wood-Decaying Fungi Collected in Prague and in the National Park Šumavain the Czech Republic

Abstract

Accumulation of metals by fungi has been known for a few decades and a number of works describing metal content in fruit bodies collected in different areas have been published (Mejstrik and Lepšová 1993). A key role in metal accumulation by fungi has been attached to cell wall polysaccharides, cysteine-rich proteins and pigments like melanin (Siegel et al. 1990). Some higher fungi are known to have the ability to accumulate toxic elements such As, Cd or Pb from the environment (Stijve et al. 1990, Vetter 1994, Tyler 1982. Heavy metal content in many terrestrial fungi correlates with metal concentration in the soil in which they grow (Gast et al. 1988). In the case of edible fungi, toxic metals may be incorporated into food chains.Fungal species growing on wood contain, in general, lower concentrations of heavy metals than fimgi growing on soil (Mutsch et al. 1979), probably due to limited contact of mycelia with the soil. Nevertheless, wood-inhabiting fungi growing in polluted areas may contain higher amounts of toxic metals than fungi growing in unpolluted areas, as we demonstrated for beryllium (Gabriel et al. 1995) previously. Wood-decaying fungi take up heavy metals by deposition of particles from the atmosphere and absorption from the substrate. Literature data indicate that heavy metal content decreases from soil through roots to stems (Salt et al. 1995). Earlier experiments (Brunnett and Zadrazil 1981, Gabriel et al. 1996a) confirmed translocation of heavy metals from substrate into the fruiting bodies of lignocellulose decomposing fungi. Atmospheric dry or wet depositions represent another considerable source of metals in plants and plant related parasites or saprophytes (Hovmand et al. 1983).The purpose of this work was to examine heavy metal content (Al, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in six wood-decaying fungal species collected in polluted and unpolluted areas in the Czech Republic.

Current state of mineral nutrition and risk elements in a beech ecosystem situated near the aluminium smelter in Žiar nad Hronom, Central Slovakia

“…These values exceed those reported by Kalač et al (1996) and Gabriel et al (1997). Zimmermannová et al (2001) found even higher lead concentrations in Lycoperdon perlatum (110.3 mg kg À1 dry matter).…”

“…Much higher content, exceeding 200 mg kg À1 in dry matter were reported by Kalač et al (1996). Gabriel et al (1997) found concentrations in fungal samples ranging from 3.3 to 158.4 mg g À1 (polluted areas) and from 2.0 to 56.0 mg g À1 (unpolluted areas). Zimmermannová et al (2001) observed that the mean levels for most fungal species from the Middle Spiš Region in Slovakia were within 11.2 and 82.2 mg kg À1 dry matter.…”

“…In our study, the mean Cd content in the fruit bodies of lignicolous saprophytes varied between 1.11 mg kg À1 (X. radicata from BEES) and 2.16 mg kg À1 (C. xanthotrix from PMP Ž iar). Gabriel et al (1997) recorded a much wider range of Cd contents in lignicolous fungi from a less polluted area (0.01-3.14 mg g À1 , NP Šumava) and from a polluted area (0.03-8.93 mg g À1 , Prague). High values of cadmium were found by Zimmermannová et al (2001) near smelters in the Middle Spiš Region in north-eastern Slovakia in Boletus edulis (10.3 mg kg À1 dry matter), X. chrysenteron (10.0 mg kg À1 dry matter) and in Lycoperdon perlatum (9.7 mg kg À1 dry matter).…”

Lead in edible mushroomsLevels and bioaccumulation factors

“…Heavy metal content in many terrestrial fungi correlates with metal concentration in the soil in which they grow. In the case of edible fungi, toxic metals as lead, may be incorporated into food chains [23]. In addition, heavy metal concentrations in the mushrooms are hardly affected by pH and organic matter content of the soil [24].…”

Ecology of coarse wood decomposition by the saprotrophic fungus Fomes fomentarius

“…Fomes fomentarius is a common and economically important wood-rotting fungus in deciduous forests of Central Europe (Gabriel et al 1997). It is a whiterot fungus causing heart rot of wood of several tree species including Fagus sylvatica and Betula pendula (Crockatt et al 2008).…”