Heavy metal toxicity – Page 2

Analytical Determination of Heavy Metals in Water Using Carbon-Based Materials

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This review examines how special carbon-based materials can detect toxic metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury in water quickly and inexpensively. These sensors use electrochemical methods to identify metal contamination at extremely low levels, far below what could harm human health. Some newer sensors are self-powered and can show results with color changes visible to the naked eye, making them perfect for rapid testing in the field without expensive laboratory equipment.

Nitric Oxide-Mediated Regulation of Chitinase Activity and Cadmium Sequestration in the Response of Schizophyllum commune to Cadmium Stress

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Schizophyllum commune is an edible mushroom with health benefits, but cadmium pollution threatens both the fungus and human health. Researchers discovered that when exposed to cadmium, the mushroom produces a signaling molecule called nitric oxide that makes its cell wall enzymes more active, causing cadmium to accumulate in the cell wall and damaging the fungus. By controlling nitric oxide levels, scientists could potentially make these fungi more resistant to heavy metal pollution and safer for consumption.

Paraboremia selaginellae enhances Salvia miltiorrhiza growth and cadmium tolerance via modulating root architecture and cadmium speciation in contaminated environments

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A beneficial fungus called Paraboremia selaginellae was found to help medicinal plants grow better in soil contaminated with cadmium, a toxic heavy metal. When this fungus colonizes plant roots, it reduces how much cadmium the plant absorbs and improves the soil’s nutrient content. This natural approach offers a promising solution for growing medicinal plants safely in polluted soils without expensive chemical treatments.

Isolating and Identifying One Strain with Lead-Tolerant Fungus and Preliminary Study on Its Capability of Biosorption to Pb2+

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Scientists discovered a fungal strain called Sarocladium that can effectively absorb lead from contaminated soil and water. This strain works best under specific conditions (25°C temperature and neutral pH) and can remove up to 37.75% of lead ions from highly contaminated solutions. The fungus captures lead through various chemical compounds on its cell surface, showing great promise as an inexpensive and environmentally friendly solution for cleaning up lead-polluted environments.

Native Fungi as a Nature-Based Solution to Mitigate Toxic Metal(loid) Accumulation in Rice

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Researchers tested whether beneficial fungi from contaminated rice paddies could help reduce toxic metal buildup in rice plants. When rice was grown in heavy metal-contaminated soil under alternate wet and dry conditions and treated with native fungi, arsenic levels dropped dramatically by up to 75%. This nature-based approach offers a sustainable way to grow safe food in polluted soils without expensive chemical treatments.

Pb immobilization by phosphate-solubilizing fungi and fluorapatite under different Mn2+ concentrations

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Researchers studied how two types of beneficial fungi (Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum) can remove dangerous lead contamination from environments. By adding the mineral fluorapatite and controlling the level of manganese in the growth medium, they found that Aspergillus niger was much more effective at capturing and permanently locking up lead particles, preventing them from leaching back into the environment. The optimal amount of manganese (7.5 mg/L) significantly boosted the fungi’s production of organic acids that capture lead, making this an environmentally friendly solution for cleaning polluted sites.

Biological applications of yttrium oxide nanocomposites synthesized from Aspergillus penicillioides and their potential role in environmental remediation

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Researchers used a fungus called Aspergillus penicillioides to create tiny particles of yttrium oxide that can remove dangerous metals like lead and nickel from contaminated water. These particles work like microscopic sponges that grab onto the toxic metals when exposed to UV light. The particles also kill bacteria and fight harmful free radicals, making them useful for both cleaning water and potentially treating infections.

Impact of sublethal zinc exposure on ectomycorrhizal Laccaria bicolor x poplar symbiosis

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This research examines how a common fungus called Laccaria bicolor helps poplar trees survive in soil contaminated with zinc, a heavy metal. Even though the zinc slows down both the fungus and plant growth, they can still form a beneficial partnership. The study found that the fungus activates specific defense mechanisms to protect itself and the plant from zinc damage, particularly through the production of protective proteins and enzymes that reduce harmful chemical reactions.

Native Fungi as a Nature-Based Solution to Mitigate Toxic Metal(loid) Accumulation in Rice

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Rice farmers dealing with contaminated soils now have a natural solution: specially selected fungi can be added to the soil to help reduce toxic metal accumulation in rice plants. In a greenhouse study, native fungi reduced arsenic uptake by up to 75% when combined with specific water management practices. This approach offers an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional remediation methods while promoting sustainable agriculture in metal-contaminated areas.

Arsenic Stress Resistance in the Endophytic Fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides: Physiological and Transcriptomic Insights into Heavy Metal Detoxification

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Researchers discovered a special fungus called Cladosporium cladosporioides living inside the roots of Gentiana yunnanensis, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. This fungus is remarkably good at tolerating and neutralizing arsenic, a toxic heavy metal found in contaminated soils. The fungus uses multiple strategies to protect itself from arsenic damage, including moving the arsenic to its cell walls, converting it into less toxic forms, and activating protective defense systems.

Disease: Heavy metal toxicity