Abstract:
Fungi are organisms that are capable of growing well in metal-polluted environments. The 5-km causeway in Calancan Bay, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque was formed by the accumulation of mine tailings continuously discharged by the Marcopper Mining Corporation over their sixteen years of operation. This study aims to isolate and identify different fungal species thriving at the causeway. Soil samples were collected in triplicates from 5 randomly selected stations throughout the causeway. Soil temperature, moisture, pH, organic matter and texture were determined. Dilutions of soil suspensions were plated in potato dextrose agar (PDA). Results showed that the diversity and distribution of the fungi namely Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Fonsecaea sp., Trichoderma sp., and Fusarium sp. isolated in the causeway were dependent on the edaphic factors.
