Mycosorption and Mycoremediation: Fungi as the Tools for Heavy Metal Removal

Industrial expansion and human activities have led to the release of persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals into the environment, resulting in soil and water contamination. This pollution disrupts ecosystems and poses health risks. Fungal bioremediation or “mycoremediation” offers a potential solution to this problem. Fungi possess well-developed enzymatic systems that enable them to degrade various organic and synthetic substances. They can also eliminate heavy metals from water-based solutions through “mycosorption.” Fungi have metal-binding functional groups in their cell walls, making them effective agents for metal sequestration. Mycoremediation is an eco-friendly, safe, and cost-effective remediation method that produces quick and visible results in terms of improving the appearance of a contaminated site. Mycoremediation is a promising approach for treating wastewater from different sources. Chitin and chitosan biopolymers in the fungal cell wall have been found to eliminate heavy metal ions efficiently. Fungi can break down toxins into simpler, less harmful chemicals, and remove metals from the soil. Mycoremediation is a sustainable approach that can help mitigate the risks associated with pollution and contribute to the restoration of ecosystems. This chapter delves into the use of fungi for the absorption of biological pollutants, with a special emphasis on the application of fungi for the biosorption of heavy metals. It also examines the mechanisms employed by fungi to resist and eliminate heavy metals from their surroundings.