Authors: Setälä, Annamaija & Nuorteva, Pekka
Journal: Karstenia, Volume 29 (1989), Issue 1, pages 37-44.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.29203/ka.1989.273
Full text: PDF
Key words: Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Fuligo septica, Hg, myxomycetes, slime mold, Zn
Abstract: The metal contents of Fulico septica, seven other slime molds and two unidentified slime mold plasmodia were studied and compared with the levels in Vaccinium myrtillus leaves collected at the same time from the same place. The levels of Cd, Cu and especially Zn were generally far higher in the slime molds. The levels of Zn in Fulico septica were so high (4 000-20 000 ppm) that it is difficult to understand how a living organism can tolerate them. The levels of AI and Fe, on the other hand, were higher in V. myrtillus. This research underlines the importance of humus as a source of metals for the organisms living in it. It also shows simultaneous peak occurrence of the useful micronutrients Cu and Zn and the toxic Cd, to which the former seems to be antagonistic. The main value of this material is that it provides information for future work.