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. 2025 Dec;16(1):2507539.
doi: 10.1080/21655979.2025.2507539. Epub 2025 May 26.

Exploring metal bioaccumulation ability of boreal white-rot fungi on fiberbank material

Burcu Hacıoğlu  1 , Gabriela Paladino  1 , Mattias Edman  1 , Alireza Eivazi  2 , Erik Hedenström  1
Affiliations

Exploring metal bioaccumulation ability of boreal white-rot fungi on fiberbank material

Burcu Hacıoğlu et al. Bioengineered. 2025 Dec.

Abstract

Fiberbanks are organic-rich sediment deposits in aquatic environments, primarily formed through historical pulp and paper mill activities. These deposits consist of wood-derived fibrous materials and are contaminated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as vanadium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, and lead. The leaching of these contaminants into surrounding waters poses significant environmental and health risks, impacting aquatic ecosystems and potentially entering the food chain. Effective remediation of fiberbanks is crucial, particularly in Sweden and other regions with extensive wood-pulping industries. This study aims to evaluate the bioaccumulation capacities of 26 native Swedish white-rot fungi (WRF) species for the remediation of PTEs in fiberbank material. Fiberbank samples were collected from Sundsvall's Bay in the Baltic Sea, while the fungal species were isolated from boreal forests in Västernorrland, Sweden. The fungi were cultured on Hagem agar medium with sterilized fiberbank material as the substrate. After two months, fungal biomass was analyzed for PTE uptake using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results revealed significant variability (p < 0.001) in PTE uptake among fungal species. Phlebia tremellosa consistently demonstrated the highest bioconcentration factors for analyzed elements, with values for V (0.39), Cr (0.10), Co (1.81), Cu (1.54), Pb (1.65), Ni (1.28), As (0.83), Zn (3.61), and Cd (5.56). Other species, including Laetiporus sulphureus (0.09-4.78), Hymenochaete tabacina (0.08-4.52), and Diplomitoporus crustulinus (0.08-4.48), also exhibited significant bioremediation potential. These findings highlight the potential of native WRF species for PTEs remediation in fiberbanks and provide a foundation for mycoremediation strategies in contaminated environments.

Keywords: Bioremediation; fiberbank; heavy metals; mycoremediation; potentially toxic elements; white-rot fungi.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The designated site for fiberbank sampling is situated within Sundsvall Bay, along the coastline of the Bothnian Sea in Sweden. This specific location, used for mycoremediation experimental studies, is distinctly marked by a red square on the geographical map. (Source: Google Earth).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The experimental setup is illustrated through two distinct configurations as depicted in the accompanying images. Image (a) highlights the control samples, which consist of a layer of perlite surrounding a central section of Hagem agar. A disc of fungal mycelium is centrally positioned on top of the agar. In contrast, image (b) presents the treatment setup where the perlite is replaced by fiberbank material while retaining the same configuration: a central section of Hagem agar with a fungal mycelium disc placed at the center and on top of the agar. (Source: Burcu Hacıoğlu).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The mean (n = 3) growth area percentages (%) of fungal mycelia in control (perlite) and fiberbank treatments. The average percentage of mycelial growth area relative to the total plate area is calculated using the formula: growth area (%) = (Growth area of mycelium/total area of the petri dish) x100 (The petri dish has a diameter of 16 cm). Values are the mean of three replicates. Instances of zero values are indicative of where growth is confined solely to the 5 cm-Hagem-agar, with no extension over the fiberbank or perlite substrates [19].
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Elemental concentration of V (n = 3) in fungal tissue (p < 0.001). (*) the letters indicate the outcomes derived from the post-hoc LSD test.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Elemental concentration of Cr (n=3) in fungal tissue (p<0.001). (*) the letters indicate the outcomes derived from the post-hoc LSD test.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Elemental concentration of Co (n = 3) in fungal tissue (p < 0.001). (*) the letters indicate the outcomes derived from the post-hoc LSD test.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Elemental concentration of Cu (n = 3) in fungal tissue (p < 0.001). (*) the letters indicate the outcomes derived from the post-hoc LSD test.
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
Elemental concentration of Pb (n = 3) in fungal tissue (p < 0.001). (*) the letters indicate the outcomes derived from the post-hoc LSD test.
Figure 9.
Figure 9.
Elemental concentration of Ni (n = 3) in fungal tissue (p < 0.001). (*) the letters indicate the outcomes derived from the post-hoc LSD test.
Figure 10.
Figure 10.
Elemental concentration of as (n = 3) in fungal tissue (p < 0.001). (*) the letters indicate the outcomes derived from the post-hoc LSD test.
Figure 11.
Figure 11.
Elemental concentration of Zn (n = 3) in fungal tissue (p < 0.001). (*) the letters indicate the outcomes derived from the post-hoc LSD test.
Figure 12.
Figure 12.
Elemental concentration of Cd (n = 3) in fungal tissue (p < 0.001). (*) the letters indicate the outcomes derived from the post-hoc LSD test.
Figure 13.
Figure 13.
Heat map of BCF of V, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Ni, As, Zn, and Cd. BCF was calculated as the concentration of the elements in fungal tissue divided by the concentration of the elements in fiberbank material.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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