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Ethanol and phenanthrene increase the biomass of fungal assemblages and decrease plant litter decomposition in

Diana Barros1, Patrícia Oliveira2, Cláudia Pascoal1

  • 1Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.

The Science of the Total Environment
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Summary

Ethanol and phenanthrene negatively impact aquatic hyphomycete fungi, reducing plant litter decomposition and reproduction while increasing biomass. Fungal diversity influences these effects, with polycultures showing some benefits but not surpassing the most effective single species.

Keywords:
Ecosystem functionEthanolFungal consortiaPhenanthreneStreams

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Area of Science:

  • Aquatic Mycology
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Ecosystem Processes

Background:

  • Aquatic hyphomycetes are key decomposers of plant litter in streams.
  • Understanding pollutant effects on these fungi is crucial for stream health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of ethanol and phenanthrene on fungal decomposition of plant litter.
  • To assess how fungal diversity affects these impacts.
  • To measure effects on plant litter decomposition, fungal biomass, and reproduction.

Main Methods:

  • Microcosm experiment using monocultures and polycultures of five aquatic hyphomycete species.
  • Alder leaves were exposed to phenanthrene (1mgL(-1)) dissolved in ethanol (0.1%) or ethanol alone.
  • Measured plant litter decomposition, fungal biomass accrual, and reproduction over 24 days.

Main Results:

  • Ethanol and phenanthrene reduced leaf decomposition and fungal reproduction.
  • Fungal biomass production increased under ethanol/phenanthrene exposure.
  • Fungal activity varied with species number; polycultures showed complementarity but did not outperform the best monoculture.

Conclusions:

  • Ethanol and phenanthrene disrupt key fungal functions in stream ecosystems.
  • Fungal diversity plays a role, but species-specific performance is critical.
  • These findings highlight the sensitivity of aquatic fungi to chemical stressors.