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Amplicon-Based Sequencing of Soil Fungi from Wood Preservative Test Sites

Summary

This research examined how chemical wood preservatives used to protect lumber affect the communities of fungi living in surrounding soil over long periods. The study provides important insights into environmental impacts of wood treatment chemicals and how soil ecosystems adapt to these substances. Key impacts for everyday life include: – Helps improve understanding of environmental safety of treated wood products used in construction – Identifies beneficial fungi that could help clean up contaminated soils – Provides guidance for developing more environmentally-friendly wood preservatives – Demonstrates natural ecosystem resilience to chemical exposure – Informs best practices for disposal and handling of treated wood

Background

Wood preservation has historically used persistent chemicals to prevent colonization by decay fungi and insects. Chemical migration from treated wood into surrounding soil can potentially impact soil fungal communities, though these effects are not fully understood. Soil fungi are key drivers of geochemical processes and nutrient cycling. Traditional biodiversity studies based on fungal fruiting bodies are limited, making DNA-based identification valuable for assessing fungal diversity.

Objective

To characterize soil fungal species from sites exposed to different wood preservative types and analyze differences in fungal species composition due to long-term preservative exposure. Additionally, to assess fungal diversity in copper exposed soils compared to non-copper exposed soils to screen for presence of copper tolerant fungi.

Results

Data showed significant differences in soil fungal community composition between the two sites. Long-term exposure to different preservative chemistries correlated with different species composition of soil fungi. Chemical analyses found levels of residual preservatives to be similar to naturally occurring levels in unexposed areas. Indicator species were compiled for each treatment-site combination. Functional guild analyses indicated both detrimental and stimulatory effects on soil fungal species composition from long-term preservative exposure.

Conclusion

Amplicon-based sequence analysis provides valuable insights into soil fungal communities. Results suggest long-term wood preservative exposure can impact soil community species composition and alter functional guild composition. Both site location and preservative treatment had significant effects. Exposure to mixed treatments stimulated increases in ectomycorrhizal fungi, suggesting this guild may be better adapted to breaking down preservative residues than traditionally studied wood decay fungi.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Field Study,
  • Source: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01997
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