The seasonal changes of keratinolytic fungi in sediments of Catalonian Rivers (Spain)

Ulfig, K.; Łukasik, W.; Guarro, J.; Cano, J.; Gené Badía, Joan; Vidal, P.; Figueras, M. J.

The seasonal changes of keratinolytic fungi in sediments of Catalonian Rivers (Spain)

1997

The Catalonian river sediments were found to be rich in keratinolytic fungi. The keratinolytic fungal populations showed clear seasonal changes in the river sediments. The main factors ‘regulating’ these populations in such habitat were temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, ammonium, nitrates, total fungal number, BOD₅, water poisons (cyanides, detergents, phenols), salinity and, presumably, strong insolation associated with low water levels. The last was probably of special importance in the deterioration of the fungal populations in the spring/summer season. A toxic effect on keratinolytic fungi in sediments was observed.Chrysosporium keratinophilum was found to be most resistant to industrial contaminants and salinity. Therefore, this species could be used as an indicator of water pollution.

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