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Fungal toxicity of mobilized soil aluminum and manganese

M K Firestone1, K Killham, J G McColl

  • 1Department of Plant and Soil Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|September 1, 1983
PubMed

Insights

Simulated acid rain mobilizes aluminum (Al), which inhibits Aspergillus flavus growth at pH below 2.7. Fluoride addition reduced Al toxicity, indicating soil solution chemistry influences its biotoxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Soil Science
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Acid precipitation can mobilize potentially toxic metals in soil.
  • Understanding metal toxicity is crucial for assessing environmental impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the toxicity of aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn) mobilized by simulated acid precipitation.
  • To investigate the influence of soil solution chemistry on Al toxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Used Aspergillus flavus spore growth inhibition as a bioassay for metal toxicity.
  • Simulated acid precipitation to generate soil leachates.
  • Varied Al and Mn concentrations and fluoride levels.

Main Results:

  • Aluminum (Al) demonstrated toxicity to Aspergillus flavus at pH < 2.7.
  • Manganese (Mn) toxicity was not detected under the tested conditions.
  • Fluoride significantly mitigated Al toxicity, suggesting anion dependency.

Conclusions:

  • Aluminum is a significant toxicant in acid rain-affected soils.
  • Soil anion composition, particularly fluoride, plays a role in modulating Al biotoxicity.
  • Further research into metal-anion interactions in soil ecosystems is warranted.

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