The European project MYRRH : Use of mycorrhizal fungi for the phytostabilisation of radio-contaminated environments

Abstract

Micro-organisms have a significant influence on the fate of radionuclides (RN) in terrestrial ecosystems, with a wealth of physico-chemical and biological mechanisms impacting mobility and speciatton [1]. Among these soil micro-organisms, mycorrhizal fungi are active components of the rhizosphere They inhabit roots and develop in the surrounding environment, therefore they are located at the interface between roots and soil. Since the Chernobyl accident an increased attention was given to these symbiotic organisms which were assumed to influence RN acquisition and hence RN bio-cycling However, the precise role of AMF in RN mobilization and transfer and the mechanisms involved are still a matter of speculation. Most results were obtained with radiocesium The present contribution intends to summarize what we know on the roles of these symbiotic fungi on radiocesium uptake/accumulation and on the potential mechanisms involved, by reference to selected studies