MycoDomes
Bio-remediation using Mushrooms
Most people on the planet right now are suffering from environmental toxins in their bloodstream. By helping set the stage for nature to clean up these toxins, we are addressing one of the major causes of illness. One form of bio-remediation is “Myco-remediation”, coined by mycologist Paul Stamets, which is “the use of fungi to degrade or remove toxins from the environment.”
Myco-remediation is efficient in breaking down toxins and heavy metals by directing them to the fruit bodies of mushrooms. Since fungi are adept at disassembling molecules and breaking down hydrocarbon bonds in the forest, they have the capability to turn long chained toxins into less toxic chemicals.
Remediation using fungi involves combining mycelium (fungal network of cells, or the root mass of mushrooms), with contaminated soil, or placing myceliated mats over the toxic substances. Mushrooms have always been the decomposers of the forest and are capable of dismantling some of the most complicated materials made by humans, we call them “myco-miracles”.
Fungi are the primary governors of environmental balance, and control nutrient flow in the ecological system. The strength of the ecosystem is directly related to the measure of fungal diversity. Using mushrooms at the onset of restoration, gives a significant advantage for other biological components to cooperate. Paul Stamets has noted a synergy of at least 4 kingdoms- fungal, plant, bacteria, and animal, which help the cycle of life to regenerate.
In 1998, one experiment with the D.O.T (Dept. of Transportation) in Washington State, Stamets with his research group from Battelle Laboratories, inoculated (planted) oyster mushrooms in a pile of toxic, oil-laden sludge. There were two other groups presenting remedial options. The mycelium consumed the entire pile of sludge in 4 weeks! By the 9th week vibrant plants had begun to grow. The mushrooms had attracted insects, which in turn attracted birds and other animals, which then dropped seeds to continue the cycle of life! The other piles that were treated were still the same as before the experiment.
Subsequent analysis of these mushrooms found no detectable petroleum residue, though heavy metals were not tested. Battellle researchers had reported that total hydrocarbons had dropped from 20,000 ppm to less than 200 ppm (parts per million), and in 8 weeks made the soil acceptable for freeway landscaping. Please note, mushrooms from areas that have had toxic treatment, should not be consumed unless tested.
Mushrooms have also been found to be able to break down neurotoxin chemicals, and biological wastes, including radioactive wastes.
Mycofiltration performs a similar process using fungal mycelium to filter petro-chemicals, toxic waste, and microorganisms from water and soil.