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The interaction of fungus with calcite and the effects on aqueous Geochemistry in karst systems

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Abstract

Geochemical variations induced by the interaction of fungus and calcite were studied. The results showed that the fungal metabolic activities could accelerate the calcite dissolution rate, and dissolution continued even when the solution was supersaturated with respect to calcite. The calcite dissolution rate was also influenced by solution chemistry, such as pH and the concentration of \( {\text{HCO}}_{3}^{ - } \). Based on these results, the importance of fungal activity in the formation of karst geomorphology was discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (40773069), the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2006CB403200), and the National Science Fund for Creative Research Groups (40721002).

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Correspondence to Weiguo Hou or Bin Lian.

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Hou, W., Dou, C., Lian, B. et al. The interaction of fungus with calcite and the effects on aqueous Geochemistry in karst systems. Carbonates Evaporites 28, 413–418 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-013-0136-7

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