A+ (ADC/V3) You J, Solongo SK, Gomez-Flores A, Choi S, Zhao H, Urík M, Ilyas S, Kim H. 2020. Intensified bioleaching of chalcopyrite concentrate using adapted mesophilic culture in continuous stirred tank reactors. Bioresource Technology 307:123181. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123181

IF - JCR: 2020 – 9.642; wos-jcr -- Q1 [Agricultural engineering] -- 2020

A+ (ADC/V3) Urík M, Polák F, Bujdoš M, Miglierini MB, Milová-Žiaková B, Farkas B, Goneková Z, Vojtková H, Matúš P. 2019. Antimony leaching from antimony-bearing ferric oxyhydroxides by filamentous fungi and biotransformation of ferric substrate. Science of the Total Environment 664:683-689. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.033

IF - JCR: 2019 – 6.551; wos-jcr -- Q1 [Environmental sciences] -- 2019

A+ (ADC/V3) Milová-Žiaková B, Urík M, Boriová K, Bujdoš M, Kolenčík M, Mikušová P, Takáčová A, Matúš P. 2016. Fungal solubilization of manganese oxide and its significance for antimony mobility. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation 114:157-163. doi:10.1016/j.ibiod.2016.06.011

IF - JCR: 2016 - 2,962; wos-jcr -- Q2 [biotechnology and applied microbiology] ; Q2 [environmental sciences] -- 2016

A+ (ADC/V3) Boriová K, Urík M, Bujdoš M, Pifková I, Matúš P. 2016. Chemical mimicking of bio-assisted aluminium extraction by Aspergillus niger's exometabolites. Environmental Pollution 218:281-288. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2016.07.003

IF - JCR: 2016 – 5.099; wos-jcr -- Q1 [environmental sciences] -- 2016

A+ (ADC/V3) Čerňanský S, Kolenčík M, Ševc J, Urík M, Hiller E. 2009. Fungal volatilization of trivalent and pentavalent arsenic under laboratory conditions. Bioresource Technology 100:1037-1040. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2008.07.030

IF - JCR: 2009 – 4.253; wos-jcr -- Q1 [biotechnology and applied microbiology] ; Q1 [agricultural engineering] -- 2009

(ADC/V3) Šebesta M, Nemček L, Urík M, Kolenčík M, Bujdoš M, Vávra I, Dobročka E, Matúš P. 2020. Partitioning and stability of ionic, nano- and microsized zinc in natural soil suspensions. Science of The Total Environment 700:134445. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134445

IF - JCR: 2020 – 7.963; wos-jcr -- Q1 [environmental sciences] -- 2020

(ADC/V3) Urík M, Farkas B, Miglierini MB, Bujdoš M, Mitróová Z, Kim H, Matúš P. 2021. Mobilisation of hazardous elements from arsenic-rich mine drainage ochres by three Aspergillus species. Journal of Hazardous Materials 409:124938. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124938

IF - JCR: 2021 – 14.224; wos-jcr -- Q1 [engineering, environmental] ; Q1 [environmental sciences] -- 2021

(V3) Gomez-Flores A., Bradford SA, Cai L, Urík M, Kim H. 2023. Prediction of attachment efficiency using machine learning on a comprehensive database and its validation. Water Research 229:119429. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2022.119429

IF - JCR: 2023 – 11.5; wos-jcr -- Q1 [engineering, environmental] ; Q1 [environmental sceinces] ; Q1 [water resources] -- 2023

(V3) Vyhnáleková S, Miglierini MB, Dekan J, Bujdoš M, Dobročka E, Farkas B, Matúš P, Urík M., 2024. Encapsulating magnetite nanopowder with fungal biomass: Investigating effects on chemical and mineralogical stability. Separation and Purification Technology 333:125899. doi:10.1016/j.seppur.2023.125899

IF - JCR: 2023 – 8.2; wos-jcr -- Q1 [engineering, chemical] -- 2023

(V3) Urbánová L, Bujdoš M, Matulová M, Miglierini MB, Vyhnáleková S, Orovčík Ľ, Machata P, Mičušík M, Dobročka E, Kollár J, Matúš P, Urík M. 2024. Investigating the sorption behavior of selenite on commercial partially oxidized magnetite nanopowder under aerobic conditions: Characterization and mechanisms. Separation and Purification Technology 348:127688. doi:10.1016/j.seppur.2024.127688

IF - JCR: 2023 – 8.2; wos-jcr -- Q1 [engineering, chemical] -- 2023

Kolenčík M, Urík M, et al. 2013. Leaching of zinc, cadmium, lead and copper from electronic scrap using organic acids and the Aspergillus niger strain. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin 22:3673-3679. Cited in: [o1] Zhao J, Csetenyi L, Gadd GM. 2020. Biocorrosion of copper metal by Aspergillus niger. International Biodeterioration and BiodegradationVolume 154:105081. doi:10.1016/j.ibiod.2020.105081

Urík M et al. 2014. Sorption of humic acids onto fungal surfaces and its effect on heavy metal mobility. Water Air Soil Pollut 225:1839. Cited in: [o1] Ceci A, Pinzari F, Russo F, Persiani AM, Gadd GM. 2019. Roles of saprotrophic fungi in biodegradation or transformation of organic and inorganic pollutants in co-contaminated sites. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 103:53-68. doi:10.1007/s00253-018-9451-1

Urík M et al. 2009. Removal of arsenic (V) from aqueous solutions using chemically modified sawdust of spruce (Picea abies): Kinetics and isotherm studies. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 6:451-456. Cited in: [o1] Shakoor MB, Niazi NK, Bibi I, Shahid M, Sharif F, Bashir S, Shaheen SM, Wang H, Tsang DCW, Ok YS, Rinklebe J. 2018. Arsenic removal by natural and chemically modified water melon rind in aqueous solutions and groundwater. Science of The Total Environment. 645:1444-1455.doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.07.218

Urík M et al. 2014. Potential of microscopic fungi isolated from mercury contaminated soils to accumulate and volatilize mercury(II) . Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. 225:2219. Cited in: [o1] Chang J, Duan Y, Dong J, Shen S, Si G, He F, Yang Q, Chen J. 2019. Bioremediation of Hg-contaminated soil by combining a novel Hg-volatilizing Lecythophora sp. fungus, DC-F1, with biochar: Performance and the response of soil fungal community. Science of The Total Environment. 671:676-684. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.409

Urík M et al. 2014. Potential of microscopic fungi isolated from mercury contaminated soils to accumulate and volatilize mercury(II) . Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. 225:2219. Cited in: [o1] Chang J, Shi Y, Si G, Yang Q, Dong J, Chen J. 2020. The bioremediation potentials and mercury(II)-resistant mechanisms of a novel fungus Penicillium spp. DC-F11 isolated from contaminated soil. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 396:122638. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122638

VEGA 1/0175/22;

(2022-2025);

chief researcher;

Effects of mutual interactions of humic substances and microorganisms on mobility and bioavailability of iron;

ABSTRACT: Iron is an important micronutrient, and its amorphous and mineral phases are no less important components of the environment. However, reports on influence of microscopic filamentous fungi on its mobility and speciation is scarce. Nevertheless, both chelating and redox properties of the extracellular metabolites of this soil microbial group are factors that regulate its release from solid phases and its subsequent transfer into plants. Soil organic matter is another major factor influencing iron distribution. In particular, its component, humic substances, participates in its reductive dissolution and sorption. Thus, microbially induced alteration of humic substances also changes the geochemical behavior of iron. Therefore, the aim of this project is to analyze speciation and distribution of iron in a complex matrices of soils, and microbial and plant biomass, which would provide insight into the mechanisms and consequences of the interaction of biotransformed solid iron phases and humic substances.

VEGA 1/0146/18;

(2018-2021);

chief researcher;

Effects of microbial extracellular metabolites and bio-transformation processes on mobility of Mn, Fe and Si, and other environmentally significant micro-nutrients;

ABSTRACT: Although Fe, Mn and Si are important micronutrients from the point of view of agrobiology and no less important elements from the viewpoint of geochemistry, the influence of filamentous fungi on their mobility in the environment is omitted in current literature. However, chelating and redox properties of fungal extracellular metabolites, rapid metabolism and high tolerance to chemical stressors, make this heterotrophic group ideal candidate for efficient mobilization of nutrients in soils. This unique property is, however, two-sided and can also mobilize hazardous substances bound in natural geochemical barriers, the dominant component of which is iron and manganese oxides and hydroxides. Therefore, this project is primarily assessing the impact of this significant heterotrophic microbial group, especially their extracellular products, on the stability and transformation of solid phases with high Fe, Mn and Si content and related changes in mobility and bioavailability of these nutrients in the environment.

VEGA 1/0203/14;

(2014-2017);

chief researcher;

Potential risk assessment of spread of inorganic contamination of geogenic or anthropogenic origin induced by biologically catalyzed release of toxic elements from humic matter;

ABSTRACT: Despite the fact that the humic substances, especially subclass humic acids, are chemically stable molecules, their degradation might be induced by the microbial activity. These processes are related to changes in the chemical structure of humic substances and may lead to their mineralization. One of the important geochemical implications of this transformation is the release of potentially toxic elements, which, despite the fact that are relatively firmly bounded to humic substances, even in relatively stable environments are not expected to be released from these phases. This implies a significant risk to humans as well as to other organisms due to possible intensification of microbially induced alterations of humic substances resulting in transfer of toxicants into the biosphere and increasing the risk of exposure.

APVV SK-KR-18-0003;

(2018 - 2019);

chief researcher;

Effects of microbial extracellular metabolites and biotransformation processes on mobility of manganese, iron and silicon from natural and synthetic solid phases;

ABSTRACT: Although Fe, Mn and Si are important micronutrients from the point of view of agrobiology and no less important elements from the viewpoint of geochemistry, the influence of filamentous fungi and bacteria on their mobility in the environment is generally omitted in current literature. However, acidic, chelating and redox properties of microbial extracellular metabolites, and relative high tolerance of microorganisms to chemical stress, make these diverse microbial groups ideal candidates for efficient mobilization of these nutrients in soils. This unique property is, however, two-sided and can also mobilize hazardous substances bound in natural geochemical barriers, the dominant components of which are iron and manganese oxides and hydroxides. Therefore, this project is primarily assessing the impact of fungal and bacterial species, especially their extracellular products, on the stability and transformation of solid phases with high Fe, Mn and Si content and related changes in mobility and bioavailability of these nutrients in the environment.