henry teng associate professor dept of chemistry hteng@gwu.edu (202)994-0112 (office) (202)994-0113...

Henry TengAssociate ProfessorDept of Chemistryhteng@gwu.edu

(202)994-0112 (office) (202)994-0113 (lab)

How Does Fungus A. fumigatus Free up K From Minerals?

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How Does Fungus A. fumigatus Free up K From Minerals?

Henry Teng, Chemistry

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How Does Fungus A. fumigatus Free up K From Minerals?

2KAlSi3O8 + 2H+ + 9H2O = Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + 4H4SiO4(aq) + 2K+

KAlSi3O8 + 4H+ + 4H2O = Al3+ + 3H4SiO4(aq) + K+

Presumed Chemical Reactions w/o. Biology

Neutral to weak acidic conditions

Strong acidic conditions

Henry Teng, Chemistry

How Does Fungus A. fumigatus Free up K From Minerals?

Questions with Uncertain Answers: What is/are the force(s) that A. fumigatus uses to dissolve feldspar in the light of that:

2. Mycelium-mineral physical interactions and insolule extracellular secretion promote additional dissolution

1. Decreasing pH inhibits mineral dissolution

Henry Teng, Chemistry

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