Changes in micromycete communities in soil in response to pollution by long-lived radionuclides emitted in the Chernobyl accident

The effects of radionuclide pollution in soil on fungi following the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Station were investigated. Community structure was analysed using correlation analysis, resulting in the compilation of community pleaids (constellations) to describe links between fungal genera. This is one of the first times this method has been used to study fungal communities. The high levels of radioactivity from gamma-emitting radionuclides appears to favour the existence of communities dominated by melanized fungal genera. Changes in community structure over time and with depth of soil are also reported.