Some features of fungi genus penicillium, isolated from long-term gold mining wastes
Penicillium canescens, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Penicillium citreo-viride which were initially enriched with Au, Ag, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Zn, Pb, Cd, less frequently with Rb, Sr and Cs, have been isolated from long-term gold mining wastes. The level of trace elements increased tens and hundreds of times by culturing the strains in the presence of waste samples. In vitro experiments showed that Penicillium was capable to accumulate elements in the mycelium as well as on the surface of conidia as organo-mineral adsorbate. This happens directly in gold mining wastes. It has been assumed that an excess of heavy metals is one of the causes of fungal aggressive. Sensitization to fungi and metals may increase the rate of occupational allergic diseases.