Influences of CO(2) and Fungus-Assisted Bioweathering on Apatite.

Fungal colonization and elevated CO2 synergistically enhance bioweathering of fluoridated apatite, especially on the cross section, by increasing erosion and mineral alteration.

• Why it matters: Understanding bioweathering of fluoridated apatite is crucial because it is the main phosphorus source in ecosystems, yet its weathering processes are not fully understood, limiting insights into nutrient cycling.
• What they did: The study incubated phosphate-solubilising Aspergillus niger in soil and culture media, examining effects on FAP's cross and longitudinal sections, focusing on erosion, mineral formation, and surface microstructures.
• The result: Fungal activity and elevated CO2 together caused more pronounced surface roughness, deeper P depletion zones, and secondary mineral enrichment, revealing microscale interactions that influence mineral weathering.