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g3n3h4x0r
Fungal Geneticist

Registered: 09/29/13
Posts: 73
Last seen: 8 years, 9 months
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Fungi and Fracking - Species Question
#19214709 - 12/01/13 08:53 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Hey everyone. So, I've been approaching a high rate of success with growing a variety of mushrooms. I have some requests to do some Agrobacterium transformations on some psilocybin mushrooms to upregulate a gene in the psilocybin pathway, but that's pending due to my current living and financial situation. (probably continuing mid 2014 if anyone is interested)
My question for anyone who doesn't need the info/fluff: Which species of fungi would you think are more apt to thrive in fracking/polluted water?
I'm thinking about getting another chain of experiments going that don't necessarily involve genetics. I've been working on the fracking water situation mostly in regards to algae, but I'm considering moving toward a fungus due to their robustness.
For those that may not know, "fracking water" is the result of hydraulic fracturing processes in the United States, and they're spilling out extreme quantities of pollutants due to the chemicals pumped underground. Some of these are carcinogenic to humans and other organisms. They pump fluids (cellulose derivatives, guar-based, organometallic-crosslinked, etc.) and chemical agents (acids, salt, polyacrylamide, carbonates, organic solvents, etc.) into the earth. In this sense, I feel the fungi would be more apt if usable as they may utilize some of these compounds.
I'm looking for a fungi that may be more viable in these conditions. I've seen the Oyster mushroom be used to treat oil-ridden soil with fantastic success - I was just wondering if there were any other opinions/ideas.
Thanks everyone!
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Forager
Mycophile

Registered: 02/15/11
Posts: 440
Last seen: 3 years, 17 days
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Re: Fungi and Fracking - Species Question [Re: g3n3h4x0r]
#19214741 - 12/01/13 09:03 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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What exactly do you hope to accomplish my introducing these organisms to fracking water? Do you want to introduce them so they are alive in the water underground, or add them to the dirty water fracking produces after it is pushed out of the wells?
You are interested in decontaminating the water, correct? If so, I would tentatively suggest some sort of Fusarium spp. They have been observed to exist in high toxicity environment such as highly acidic hot springs with high sulfur content, etc.
If you are interested in somehow remedying the destabilization that fracking produces in the geology of the area, then I suggest you look into bacteria. A number of groups are already looking into this, generally in trying to create an number of precipitated carbonates to stabilize these formations.
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Always looking for interesting active prints (especially Gymnopilus spp. and sclerotia producers) and cacti and poppy seeds.
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g3n3h4x0r
Fungal Geneticist

Registered: 09/29/13
Posts: 73
Last seen: 8 years, 9 months
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Re: Fungi and Fracking - Species Question [Re: Forager]
#19214836 - 12/01/13 09:28 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
You are interested in decontaminating the water, correct? If so, I would tentatively suggest some sort of Fusarium spp. They have been observed to exist in high toxicity environment such as highly acidic hot springs with high sulfur content, etc.
Right - there is evidence that the chemicals may be leaching to the nearby environment, so the source of the water to be treated is not yet determined. There are many organizations fighting the geological issues, which I don't find myself too apt to really research (work and my doctorate is taking up much of my time that I'd need to get some connections/learn).
I'm mostly thinking about finding a robust fungus that can initially survive, then introduce a gene or two down the road to assist the breakdown of some of the chemicals used, although I don't think I'll be able to decide on genes for the transformations until I can run the initial experiments.
Fusarium seems a good direction for soil-related growth and fibrous mycelium, although I'm hesitant due to its potential to cause disease. I'll look more into it and maybe get a sample to test! I appreciate the input!
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Forager
Mycophile

Registered: 02/15/11
Posts: 440
Last seen: 3 years, 17 days
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Re: Fungi and Fracking - Species Question [Re: g3n3h4x0r]
#19215264 - 12/01/13 11:37 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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There are definitely some non-disease causing (at least in human and similar mammals) Fusariums!
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Always looking for interesting active prints (especially Gymnopilus spp. and sclerotia producers) and cacti and poppy seeds.
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