Ectomycorrhizal weathering, a matter of scale?

Authors: Smits, M.M.; Bonneville, S.; Haward, S.; Leake, J.R.

Source: Mineralogical Magazine, Volume 72, Number 1, February 2008 , pp. 131-134(4)

Publisher: Mineralogical Society

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Abstract:

Boreal forest trees influence mineral weathering rates via exudation and uptake processes. Most trees in the boreal forest live in symbiosis with ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi that sheath most of the root tips and form the main interface between the tree and the soil. Current weathering models do not take into account the nature and scale of fungal-mineral interactions. Here we show for the first time grain-scale effects of EcM fungi in symbiosis with a host plant on mineral weathering under sterile conditions. EcM fungi actively direct their growth and energy flow towards mineral grains containing essential nutrient elements for the tree and fungus.

Keywords: ECTOMYCORRHIZA; BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING; MODELLING; APATITE; BIOTITE; QUARTZ; 14C

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1180/minmag.2008.072.1.131

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