Work

Wild macrofungi as bioindicators of persistent organic pollutants (PCBs, NPAHs, and PAHs) in urban and natural environments

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), in particular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), their nitro derivatives (NPAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pose a major environmental and public health challenge worldwide. Our study evaluated the content of PAHs, NPAHs, and PCBs in eight common, wild macrofungal species collected from urban (Kamenički and Dunavski parks) and natural (Fruška Gora Mt.) environments in Northern Serbia. Among analyzed species, the edible Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.) Murrill 1920 exhibited the highest total concentrations of Σ 15 PAHs (837.97 ± 11.49 ng g −1 dry weight, DW), Σ 6 NPAHs (166.99 ± 4.51 ng g −1 DW), and Σ 10 PCBs (265.27 ± 0.32 ng g −1 DW), followed closely by Auricularia mesenterica (Dicks.) Pers. 1822 (Σ 15 PAHs: 725.42 ± 16.02 ng g −1 DW; Σ 6 NPAHs: 160.63 ± 14.82 ng g −1 DW, Σ 10 PCBs: 214.28 ± 22.56 ng g −1 DW), both species from Kamenički park. High-molecular-weight PAHs such as dibenz[ a,h ]anthracene and benzo[ ghi ]perylene were dominant across most species most inspected species, while 6-nitrobenzo[ a ]pyrene was the most prevalent NPAH. PCBs showed species- and congener-specific adsorption patterns, with the highest concentrations detected in L. sulphureus and Stereum subtomentosum Pouzar 1964. Overall, variation in pollutant levels strongly depended on the locality and species-specific traits. In conclusion, this study provides novel evidence that wild macrofungi, from urban areas, may represent powerful accumulators of PAHs, NPAHs, and PCBs, offering important insights into environmental pollution monitoring and potential food safety risks.

Source: Environmental Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.123890

Authors: Milena Rašeta, Marko Kebert, Milana Rakić, Eleonora Čapelja, Saša Orlović, Saša Kostić

Institutions: University of Novi Sad, Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment

Language: English

Topic: Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,880