Ricerc@Sapienza

Arsenic, a common metalloid, is worldwide recognised as important toxic element for human beings and
living organisms (1,2). Natural processes as well as anthropogenic activities contribute to its diffusion and
occurrence in the environment (1,2). Fungi, as geoactive agents, can play very important geological roles in
several processes, including decomposition, biogeochemical cycling, element biotransformations, metal and
mineral transformations, bioweathering and soil formation (3,4). Fungi can tolerate and accumulate high

Arsenic (As) is a metalloid, naturally occurring in the earth crust. Anthropogenic sources, such as
processing of arsenic-bearing minerals, are mainly responsible for environmental contamination,
arising concern for toxic effects of As on human health and ecosystems. Fungi play key roles in
fundamental biogeochemical cycles of essential and toxic elements and soil formation. Several
studies reported that fungi can tolerate and accumulate high concentrations of arsenic and mediate

Increasing arsenic environmental concentrations are raising worldwide concern for its impacts on human health and ecosystem functionality. In order to cope with arsenic contamination, bioremediation using fungi can represent an efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective technological solution. Fungi can mitigate arsenic contamination through different mechanisms including bioaccumulation.