Modification of Soil Properties by Fungal Mycelium

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Filamentous fungi can form an interconnected root-like network known as mycelium. Fungal mycelium can extend three-dimensionally through soil pores, which reduces pore size and promotes bonding between soil particles. Fungal mycelium can also produce hydrophobic compounds, increasing the water repellency of soils. This study investigated the effects of fungal mycelium on the hydraulic and mechanical properties of sand and silt. Ottawa 20/30 sand and a low plasticity silt (BR silt) were treated with a filamentous fungus, nonpathogenic, and saprotrophic fungus, Trichderma virens (ATCC 9645). Fungal-treated sand was subjected to soil water retention curve (SWRC) and hydraulic conductivity tests. Also, Youngs modulus, soil shrinkage curve, and suction stress characteristic curve of fungal-treated BR silt were measured using the drying cake (DC) test method. Fungal mycelia in Ottawa 20/30 sand increased the air entry suction by 6.2 times and reduced hydraulic conductivity by 2.3 times after a growth period of 10 days. Fungal mycelia in low plasticity silts also increased the volume reduction by approximately 1% and the suction stress magnitude of low plasticity silt by as much as 52 kPa. Lastly, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging was conducted to explore the morphology of fungal-treated Ottawa 20/30 sand and low plasticity silt.

2025 International Conference on Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (ICBBG2025)

Special symposium: Fungal treatment of soils