Definition
Fungi are essential drivers of biogeochemical cycles at the Earth surface. They are involved in both rock weathering and neogenesis of minerals, the latter as by-products of their impact during alteration. During biomechanical weathering, fungi can penetrate into minerals forming tunnels and channels. During biochemical weathering, fungi mobilize elements contained in minerals using acidolysis, complexolysis, redoxolysis, and metal accumulation in their biomass. Secondary minerals, such as metal-oxalates, -carbonates, -phosphates, and clays, are also generated by fungi as a result of mineral weathering. Moreover, symbiotic associations involving fungi (mycorrhizae and lichens) play a major role in mineral weathering and soil biogeochemical cycles.
Overview
Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that first appear in the fossil record 1 billion years ago (Loron et al. 2019) in agreement with molecular...
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Bindschedler, S., Verrecchia, E.P. (2022). Fungal Weathering. In: Gargaud, M., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_5400-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_5400-2
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Fungal Weathering- Published:
- 18 December 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_5400-2
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Fungal Weathering- Published:
- 03 August 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_5400-1