THE RELEASE OF METALLIC AND SILICATE IONS FROM MINERALS, ROCKS, AND SOILS BY FUNGAL ACTIVITY

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Abstract
Summary: The decomposition of silicate minerals and related substances by fungi has been investigated using two techniques: (a) the incorporation of the mineral material in agar medium, when its breakdown is indicated by the formation of clear zones round the fungal growth; (b) the determination of the metal and silicate ions, derived from the insoluble materials and brought into solution as a result of fungal activity in liquid medium. Strains of fungi which produced citric and/or oxalic acid proved to be effective in decomposing certain natural silicates, while an oxalic acid‐producing strain also released metallic ions and silica from rocks and soils. A possible role of fungi in biological weathering is discussed.