The Arsenic-Loving Mushrooms Helping Clean Our Planet
When most people think of mushrooms, they imagine gourmet dishes or medicinal tinctures. But did you know some fungi are so tough they thrive in toxic, arsenic-rich environments?
In fact, scientists have identified certain mushrooms with a strange superpower: they not only survive in contaminated soils—they actually help clean them up.
Here’s what you need to know about these fascinating fungi and their potential to restore some of Earth’s most polluted places.
The Discovery: Fungi Found Thriving in Toxic Soil
In a recent study, researchers investigated wild fungi growing near a contaminated gold mine in Nova Scotia—an area polluted with arsenic, a toxic element harmful to both humans and ecosystems.
They found several mushroom species not only surviving but thriving in these harsh conditions. Some of these included:
Amanita species (yes, the same genus as the infamous toxic fly agaric)
Scleroderma (earthballs)
Laccaria and Cortinarius species
What stood out? Many of these mushrooms formed mycorrhizal relationships—meaning they live symbiotically with plant roots, helping both the fungi and nearby plants adapt to contaminated soil.
Fungal Detox: How Mushrooms Process Arsenic
Here’s where it gets even cooler: these mushrooms don’t just resist arsenic—they actively take it in and chemically transform it.
The fungi absorb arsenic from the soil, then convert it into less toxic organic forms through a process called biotransformation. This not only protects the mushrooms themselves, but potentially reduces environmental harm over time.
Some species even store arsenic in their fruiting bodies—meaning the visible mushroom caps you see are acting like toxic sponges, locking away contaminants from the ecosystem.
"These mushrooms have evolved unique mechanisms to survive—and possibly help clean up—some of the most toxic soils on Earth."
Why It Matters: Fungi and Environmental Cleanup
This process is known as mycoremediation—the use of fungi to clean up polluted environments.
Arsenic contamination is a global problem, especially around:
Mining sites
Industrial areas
Places with contaminated groundwater
Traditional cleanup methods are expensive and damaging. But mushrooms offer a low-cost, eco-friendly alternative. By absorbing and stabilizing toxins, they:
Improve soil health
Allow plants to return
Prevent further contamination of water systems
A Word of Caution: Don’t Eat These!
Just because a mushroom grows doesn’t mean it’s safe to consume. In fact, many of the arsenic-loving species in this study are inedible or poisonous. Even edible-looking mushrooms grown in toxic soil can contain dangerous levels of heavy metals.
This is why it’s so important to:
Avoid foraging near old industrial sites
Grow mushrooms in clean, controlled environments
Know your source—especially when buying powders, extracts, or wild mushrooms
At MO’ Mushrooms, all our fungi are grown responsibly and tested for purity—no hidden toxins here.
Final Thoughts: Fungi as Earth’s Cleanup Crew
The ability of mushrooms to survive—and even clean up arsenic-contaminated soil—is yet another reminder of how incredible fungi truly are. From gourmet food to medicine to planetary healing, these organisms are among nature’s greatest multitaskers.
As scientists continue to uncover the underground powers of fungi, we’re more inspired than ever to protect, respect, and study these organisms—not just for what they give us, but for what they can do for the Earth.
