[Santa_Cruz_Permaculture] PAUL STAMETS' STATEMENT ON MYCOREMEDIATION AND ITS APPLICATIONS TO OIL SPILLS

Mon May 24 20:13:49 PDT 2010

http://www.fungi.com/mycotech/petroleum_problem.html

PAUL STAMETS' STATEMENT
ON MYCOREMEDIATION AND ITS APPLICATIONS TO OIL SPILLS

The BP oil spill has inflicted enormous harm in 
the Gulf of Mexico and will continue to do so for 
months, if not decades, to come. I have many 
thoughts on this disaster. My first reaction is 
that when the skin of the Earth is punctured, bad 
things can happen.

Clearly, this disaster could and should have been 
prevented. Despite all their assurances of 
safety, BP and/or BP's subcontractors, failed to 
ensure the functionality of the emergency 
equipment on the Deep Horizon rig. The oil 
industry claims that further regulation will 
handcuff them, but it is now obvious that more 
steps need to be taken to prevent a catastrophe 
like this from ever happening again.

However, this spill did happen, and we now must 
deal with the aftermath. Although estimates have 
been that BP could be liable for more than 14 
billion dollars in clean up damages, very few in 
the media have mentioned the long-term, 
generational consequences of this oil spill. 
There will inevitably be a surge in cancer cases, 
widespread degradation of wildlife habitat, and 
an array of diverse and complex strains on local 
communities, our nation, and the planetary 
ecosphere as a whole. We all know that the seas 
are connected, and ultimately our biosphere 
suffers globally when suffering locally. Now as 
the hurricane season approaches, we may see 
catastrophes converge to create what may be the 
greatest ecological disaster in hundreds of years.

While we will need a wide array of efforts to 
address this complex problem, mycoremediation is 
a valuable component in our toolset of solutions. 
Mycoremediation has demonstrated positive 
results, verified by scientists in many 
countries. However, there is more oil spilled 
than there is currently mycelium available. Much 
more mycelium is needed and, fortunately, we know 
how to generate it.

Here is what we know about mycoremediation, based 
on tests conducted by myself, my colleagues and 
other researchers who have published their 
results. (See attached references.)

What we know:
1) More than 120 novel enzymes have been 
identified from mushroom-forming fungi.
2) Various enzymes breakdown a wide assortment of hydrocarbon toxins.
3) My work with Battelle Laboratories, in 
collaboration with their scientists, resulted in 
TAH's (Total Aromatic Hydrocarbons) in diesel 
contaminated soil to be reduced from 10,000 ppm 
to < 200 ppm in 16 weeks from a 25% inoculation 
rate of oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) mycelium, 
allowing the remediated soil to be approved for 
use as landscaping soil along highways. (Thomas 
et al., 1999)
4) Oil contains a wide variety of toxins, many of which are carcinogens.
5) Mycelium more readily degrades lower molecular 
weight hydrocarbons (3,4,5 ring) than heavier 
weight hydrocarbons. However, the heavier weight 
hydrocarbons are reduced via mycelial enzymes 
into lighter weight hydrocarbons, allowing for a 
staged reduction with subsequent mycelial 
treatments.
6) Aged mycelium from oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus 
ostreatus) mixed in with 'compost' made from 
woodchips and yard waste (50:50 by volume) 
resulted in far better degradation of 
hydrocarbons than oyster mushroom mycelium or 
compost alone.
7) Oyster mycelium does not degrade keratin-based 
hair as it produces little or no keratinases, 
whereas other mold fungi such as Chaetomium 
species (which include some high 
temperature-tolerant leaf mold fungi) produce 
keratinases.
8) Worms die when put into contact with high 
concentrations of hydrocarbon saturated soils, 
but live after mycelial treatments reduce the 
toxins below the lethal thresholds.
9) Spring inoculations work better than fall 
inoculations as the mycelium has more time to 
grow-out. Bioregional specificities must be 
carefully considered.
10) Amplifying native mushroom species in the 
bioregion impacted by toxic spills work better 
than non-native species.
11) More funding is needed to better understand 
and implement mycoremediation technologies.
12) Oil spills will occur in the future-we need to be ready for them!

What we don't know:
1) The effect of salt water on the growth of 
mycelium on hair mats soaked in oil. The Presidio 
project with Matter of Trust did not test the 
hair mats used to soak up the Cosco Busan oil 
spill in San Francisco bay. The hair mats that 
were tested were ones that were put into contact 
with motor oil and Bunker C oil collected from 
the bowels of the Cosco Busan, without saltwater.
2) The differential gradients of decomposition of 
the complex oil constituents from contact with 
Oyster mushroom mycelium. Different toxins 
degrade at different rates when placed into 
contact with mycelium.
3) The variables that influence the success of 
mycoremediation, particularly since the targeted 
toxins are often complex mixtures of volatile and 
non-volatile hydrocarbons.
4) How many other species of fungi could be 
applied for mycoremediation beyond the few that 
have been tested? Up to now, Oyster mushroom 
mycelium (Pleurotus ostreatus) has been tested 
successfully but there are literally thousands of 
other species yet to be tested for 
mycoremediation.
5) How each fungal species used pre-selects the 
subsequent biological populations and how these 
further enable plant communities as habitats 
recover from toxic waste exposure?
6) Whether or not the mushrooms grown on 
decomposing toxic wastes are safe to eat.
7) To what degree of decomposition by mycelium of 
toxic soils makes the soils safe for food crops.
8) How economically practical will it be to 
remove mushrooms that have hyper-accumulated 
heavy metals-will this be a viable remediation 
strategy? Which species are best for hyper 
accumulating specific metals?
9) How to finance/design composting centers 
around population centers near pollution threats.
10) How to train-on a massive scale-the 
mycotechnicians needed to implement 
mycoremediation.
11) How to fund "Myco-U's", learning centers with 
emphasis on implementing myco-solutions to human 
made and natural catastrophes.
12) How extensively and diversely will 
mycoremediation practices be needed in the future?

How can we help?
Knowing that the extent of this disaster eclipses 
our mycological resources should not be a reason 
to not act.

I proposed in 1994 that we have Mycological 
Response Teams (MRTs) in place to react to 
catastrophic events, from hurricanes to oil 
spills. We need to preposition composting and 
mycoremediation centers adjacent to population 
centers. We should set MRTs into motion, 
centralized in communities, which are actively 
involved in recycling, composting and 
permaculture-utilizing debris from natural or 
man-made calamities to generate enzymes and 
rebuild healthy local soils.

I see the urgent need to set up webinar-like, 
Internet-based modules of education to 
disseminate methods for mycoremediation training 
so people throughout the world can benefit from 
the knowledge we have gained through the past 
decade of research. Such hubs of learning could 
cross-educate others and build a body of 
knowledge that would be further perfected over 
time, benefiting from the successes and failures 
of those in different bioregions. The cumulative 
knowledge gained from a centralized data hub 
could emerge as a robust yet flexible platform 
that could help generations to come. Scientists, 
policy makers, and citizens would be empowered 
with practical mycoremediation tools for 
addressing environmental disasters.

There are additional opportunities here. By 
encouraging strategically placed gourmet mushroom 
production centers near debris fields from 
natural and human-made disasters, we can open a 
pathway for mycoremediation. The 'aged compost' 
that is produced after mushrooms are harvested is 
rich in enzymes-a value-added by-product and this 
'waste' product is aptly suited for 
mycoremediation purposes. What most people do not 
realize is that most mushroom farms generate this 
compost by the tons and are eager for it to be 
used elsewhere.

On a grand scale, I envision that we, as a 
people, develop a common myco-ecology of 
consciousness and address these common goals 
through the use of mycelium. To do so means we 
need to spread awareness and information. Please 
spread the word of mycelium. Educate friends, 
family and policy makers about mycological 
solutions. Bring your local leaders up the 
learning curve on how fungi can decompose toxins, 
rebuild soils and strengthen our food chains. 
What we lack is the widespread availability of 
mycologically skilled technicians and educators 
and a more mycologically informed public. We need 
a paradigm shift, a multi-generational 
educational infrastructure, bringing fungal 
solutions to the forefront of viable options to 
mitigate disasters. An unfortunate circumstance 
we face is that the field of mycology is poorly 
funded in a time of intense need.

To support this expanded mycological awareness, I 
offer my books as resources-especially Mycelium 
Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World 
and Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms. 
Also, please see my talk on Ted.com-this is an 
excellent primer for those wanting to understand 
how mushrooms and fungi can help mitigate 
disasters and heal ecosystems.

Let's become part of the solution. We may not 
have all the answers now but we can work towards 
an integrated strategy, flexible in its design, 
and yet target specific to these types of 
disasters. We should work in preparation to 
resolve ecological emergencies before and after 
they occur. Together, we can protect and heal our 
communities and ecosystems.

For the Earth,

THE PROBLEM: OIL IS A COMPLEX MIXTURE OF TOXIC HYDROCARBONS

Not many people, even experts, fully grasp the 
diverse range of toxins that are present in oil. 
Bunker C oil is used as a fuel, particularly in 
cargo ships, and is especially 'dirty'. Here is a 
list of some of the hydrocarbons typically found 
in Bunker C oil:

CONTAMINANTS IN BUNKER C OIL
cis/trans-Decalin
C1-Decalins
C2-Decalins
C3-Decalins
C4-Decalins
Benzothiophene
C1-Benzo(b)thiophenes
C2-Benzo(b)thiophenes
C3-Benzo(b)thiophenes
C4-Benzo(b)thiophenes
Naphthalene
C1-Naphthalenes
C2-Naphthalenes
C3-Naphthalenes
C4-Naphthalene
Biphenyl
Dibenzofuran
Acenaphthylene
Acenaphthene
Fluorene
C1-Fluorenes
C2-Fluorenes
C3-Fluorenes
Anthracene
Phenanthrene
C1-Phenanthrenes/Anthracenes
C2-Phenanthrenes/Anthracenes
C3-Phenanthrenes/Anthracenes
C4-Phenanthrenes/Anthracenes
Retene
Dibenzothiophene
C1-Dibenzothiophenes
C2-Dibenzothiophenes
C3-Dibenzothiophenes
C4-Dibenzothiophenes
Benzo(b)fluorene
Fluoranthene
Pyrene
C1-Fluoranthenes/Pyrenes
C2-Fluoranthenes/Pyrenes	 C3-Fluoranthenes/Pyrenes
C4-Fluoranthenes/Pyrenes
Naphthobenzothiophenes
C1-Naphthobenzothiophenes
C2-Naphthobenzothiophenes
C3-Naphthobenzothiophenes
C4-Naphthobenzothiophenes
Benz[a]anthracene
Chrysene/Triphenylene
C1-Chrysenes
C2-Chrysenes
C3-Chrysenes
C4-Chrysenes
Benzo[b]fluoranthene
Benzo[k]fluoranthene
Benzo[a]fluoranthene
Benzo[e]pyrene
Benzo[a]pyrene
Perylene
Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene
Dibenz[a,h]anthracene
Benzo[g,h,i]perylene
C23 Tricyclic Terpane (T4)
C24 Tricyclic Terpane (T5)
C25 Tricyclic Terpane (T6)
C24 Tetracyclic Terpane (T6a)
C26 Tricyclic Terpane-22S (T6b)
C26 Tricyclic Terpane-22R (T6c)
C28 Tricyclic Terpane-22S (T7)
C28 Tricyclic Terpane-22R (T8)
C29 Tricyclic Terpane-22S (T9)
C29 Tricyclic Terpane-22R (T10)
18a-22,29,30-Trisnorneohopane-TS (T11)
C30 Tricyclic Terpane-22S (T11b)
C30 Tricyclic Terpane-22R
17a(H)-22,29,30-Trisnorhopane-TM (T12)
17a/b,21b/a 28,30-Bisnorhopane (T14a)
C30 Tricyclic Terpane-22R	 17a(H)-22,29,30-Trisnorhopane-TM (T12)
17a/b,21b/a 28,30-Bisnorhopane (T14a)
17a(H)-22,29,30-Trisnorhopane-TM (T12)
17a(H),21b(H)-25-Norhopane (T14b)
30-Norhopane (T15)
18a(H)-30-Norneohopane-C29Ts (T16)
17a(H)-Diahopane (X)
30-Normoretane (T17)
18a(H)&18b(H)-Oleananes (T18)
Hopane (T19)
Moretane (T20)
30-Homohopane-22S (T21)
30-Homohopane-22R (T22)
30,31-Bishomohopane-22S (T26)
30,31-Bishomohopane-22R (T27)
30,31-Trishomohopane-22S (T30)
30,31-Trishomohopane-22R (T31)
Tetrakishomohopane-22S (T32)
Tetrakishomohopane-22R (T33)
Pentakishomohopane-22S (T34)
Pentakishomohopane-22R (T35)
13b(H),17a(H)-20S-Diacholestane (S4)
13b(H),17a(H)-20R-Diacholestane (S5)
13b,17a-20S-Methyldiacholestane (S8)
14a(H),17a(H)-20S-Cholestane (S12)
14a(H),17a(H)-20R-Cholestane (S17)
13b,17a-20R-Ethyldiacholestane (S18)
13a,17b-20S-Ethyldiacholestane (S19)
14a,17a-20S-Methylcholestane (S20)
14a,17a-20R-Methylcholestane (S24)
14a(H),17a(H)-20S-Ethylcholestane (S25)
14a(H),17a(H)-20R-Ethylcholestane (S28)
14b(H),17b(H)-20R-Cholestane (S14)
14b(H),17b(H)-20S-Cholestane (S15)
14b,17b-20R-Methylcholestane (S22)
14b,17b-20S-Methylcholestane (S23)

TOWARDS AN INTEGRATED SOLUTION: MYCOREMEDIATION RESOURCES

Recommended texts:

Gadd, G. 2001. Fungi in Bioremediation. Cambridge University Press.

Singh, H. 2006. Mycoremediation: Fungal Bioremediation. Wiley Interscience.

Stamets, P. 2005. Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms 
Can Help Save the World. Ten Speed Press, 
Berkeley, California.