The assessment of heavy metal accumulation by myxomycetes

Abstract

The assessment of heavy metal accumulation by myxomycetes (slime moulds) has been made. The importance of these organisms for environmental safety monitoring was specified. Ecological and physiological mechanisms of ability of myxomycetes to concentrate metals and other elements from their substrates were analyzed. For five common myxomycetes species with relatively big fruiting body were compared chemical elements concentrations. Fuligo septica (L.) Wigg. was proposed as perspective bioindicator for the detection of Zn on the grounds of the ability to accumulate this metal and by reason of this species have widespread distribution in terrestrial ecosystems. Prospects of using slime molds as objects for bioremediation of contaminated soils were considered.