REDROCK BIOTECH
NATURE REDEFINED
REDROCK Environmental
Fungal Based Biotech for the Future
Why Fungi?
Fungi are 'Nature's Original Chemist & Recycler'
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Fungi - often called the forgotten Kingdom of Life have developed deep wells of genetic knowledge regarding the production of specific enzymes, acids and compounds that are able to break a down a wide range of matter & contaminants as a means of energy
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This process chemically disassembles contaminants and in the process re-distributes the base building blocks back into the natural systems of life to stimulate the regenerate growth and abundance
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The Fungal body (often white interconnecting strands resembling cotton) creates immense networks of web-like structures called mycelium that move through soils, and organic matter to re-connect environments and recycle organic compounds which helps rebuild & regenerate soils
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In addition - some species of Fungi called Mycorrhizal Fungi actually create synergistic and symbiotic relations with plants. In fact over 90% of plant species are believed to have this beneficial relationship with Fungi where nutrients, water, and other compounds are shared through a Fungal Mycelium -Plant plant root physical connection.
REDROCK Fungal Based Enviro R&D
Areas of Interest:
REDROCK Biotech has been researching, and exploring the potential for Fungi to play a major role in the Remediation of Contaminated Environments, and Regenerating Polluted Soils. We are also interested in the Bio-stimulant and carbon capturing properties of Mycorrhizal Fungi in Agriculture applications. There is tremendous potential for new Fungal Based Bio-Remediation implementations that create sustainable long-term solutions. With the potential to impact a wide variety of Industries with Fungal Based Technology we are excited to further explore these areas of research.
Myco-Remediation
Certain Fungi have been shown to significantly improve contaminated environments and have the capacity to be 'trained' to actively seek out specific contaminant types such as:
Hydro-carbons
Diesel
Petrol
Oils
PAH's (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)
Pesticides
PCB's (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)
Sterilant Herbicides
Drilling Fluids
Heavy Metals
What is Myco-remediation?
(Myco - Greek for Fungus)
Myco-remediation is a branch of Bio-remediation where Fungi are actively used and strategically implemented for environmental remediation purposes. This is a growing frontier of science, and has only been researched for a few decades. The development of the field and its applications have accelerated in recent years due to growing concerns about the negative impacts of pollutants on the environment and human health. The first scientific studies exploring the use of fungi for Myco-remediation date back to the 1980s and 1990s, but the field has rapidly expanded since then as more research has been conducted and more practical applications are being developed. Today, Myco-remediation is an established area of research and a promising strategy for addressing a range of environmental contaminants and ultimately improving soil health, and environments. Redrock Biotech looks forward to developing and commercializing Myco-remediation products and services to help with restoration of contaminated and degraded environments.
What are Mycorrhizal Fungi?
Mycorrhizal fungi and plants have been working together for 100's of millions of years through a symbiotic and mutually beneficial relationship at the soil & root level.
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Mycorrhizal fungi are beneficial soil organisms that form symbiotic relationships with plants, connecting to their roots and expanding their nutrient-absorbing capacity. Most Mycorrhizal Fungi do not produce a mushroom and remain within the soil matrix, but there are a few species that do such as Chanterelles, and Truffles.
In this partnership, the fungi attach to plant roots, extending into the soil with a network of fine filaments called hyphae. This extension enables plants to access water, phosphorus, nitrogen, and other essential nutrients that would otherwise be out of reach. In return, the plant supplies the fungi with carbohydrates produced through photosynthesis.
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This exchange of carbohydrates also facilitates carbon transfer from plants to fungi, a process that actively contributes to carbon sequestration. The fungi store carbon in the soil, helping to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide—a key driver of climate change.
Recent research suggests that fungi, along with other soil organisms, could sequester an estimated 5 to 20 gigatons of carbon (C) annually. This is a significant contribution, as soil carbon storage plays a critical role in the global carbon cycle and supports current efforts to mitigate carbon emissions.
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In agriculture, mycorrhizal fungi offer an eco-friendly approach to boosting crop production while also addressing climate challenges. By commercializing mycorrhizal fungi products, REDROCK can support farmers to increase crop resilience, reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, and improve soil health.
Mycorrhizal based fungi products can be incorporated into soil treatments or seed coatings, enhancing plant growth, stress resistance, and yields. In the process, they help store more carbon in the soil, making agriculture both productive and sustainable.
Mycorrhizal
Fungi
Fungi - Plant Symbiosis
Recent study shows that inoculating soil with mycorrhizal fungi can increase plant yield by by up to 40%
Researchers from the Universities of Zurich, and Basel (Switzerland), Agroscope and the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture has now shown on a large scale the incredible power of Mycorrhizal Fungi to improve Agriculture output.
Improved Soil & Carbon Capture Potential
Key Roles of Mycorrhizal Fungi
Carbon Sequestration
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Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, enabling the fungi to act as natural carbon storage units.
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Plants transfer carbon (derived from atmospheric COâ‚‚ via photosynthesis) to mycorrhizal fungi through their roots.
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The fungi use this carbon to produce glomalin, a sticky glycoprotein that stabilizes soil aggregates and locks carbon into the soil for long periods, reducing atmospheric COâ‚‚ levels.
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This process contributes to soil carbon pools, essential for mitigating climate change.
Improved Soil Health
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Enhanced Nutrient Cycling: Mycorrhizal fungi improve nutrient uptake (especially phosphorus and nitrogen) by extending their hyphal networks far beyond the plant's root zone, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
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Increased Soil Organic Matter: The fungal networks enhance soil structure by binding soil particles, increasing water retention and aeration.
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Resilience to Stress: Fungal associations strengthen plants’ ability to withstand drought, disease, and soil salinity, fostering sustainable agriculture in degraded soils.
Sustainable Farming Application
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Mycorrhizal fungi can be applied to seeds, seedlings, or directly to the soil as dry powders or liquid inoculants.
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They are particularly beneficial for crops like wheat, corn, tomatoes, and orchards, aiding in sustainable and climate-friendly farming practices.
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Using mycorrhizal fungi reduces dependence on chemical inputs, promoting regenerative agriculture.
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This eco-friendly approach supports biodiversity, increases crop yields, and maintains long-term soil fertility.
Fungal-Carbon Sequestration Process
Plants absorb Carbon, and trade Carbon (Carbohydrates) with Fungi for other nutrients, and water within the soil outside the reach of the plant roots. This process creates mass carbon sequestration within the Mycorrhizal Fungal network (White strands shown below). These fungal networks extend deep into the soil and offer huge carbon capture potential within Agriculture land
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MYCORRHIZAL FUNGAL NETWORK
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Carbon Sequestration Comparison (Annually):
Human Emissions vs. Potential Fungal and Soil-Based Carbon Storage
Human Carbon Emissions (Baseline)
Total Gt (Carbon)
(1 Gigatonne = 1 Billion tons)
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Current Emissions:
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Humans release around 40 gigatons (Gt) of carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) per year, which translates to approximately 11 Gt of carbon (C) annually, given the molecular weight difference between COâ‚‚ and C.
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Source Breakdown:
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These emissions stem primarily from fossil fuel use, industrial activity, and deforestation.
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Humans
currently
produce:
11Gt
Recent study shows the potential of Mycorrhizal Fungi to sequester Mass amounts of Carbon
Mycorrhizal fungi represent a blind spot in carbon modelling, conservation, and restoration - the numbers we’ve uncovered are jaw-dropping, and when we’re thinking about solutions for climate we should also be thinking about what we can harness that exists already.
Carbon Sequestration by Mycorrhizal Fungi in Optimized Agriculture
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Sequestration Range:
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Mycorrhizal fungi and soil organisms currently sequester between 5 and 20 Gt of carbon (C) per year, based on available soil ecosystems and plant partnerships.
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Optimized Scenario:
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If agricultural practices were globally optimized to support mycorrhizal fungi, sequestration could feasibly reach 20 Gt of carbon annually.
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Net Impact:
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Under these optimized conditions, fungi could theoretically offset the entirety of human-emitted carbon (11 Gt) and even sequester an additional 9 Gt of carbon beyond annual emissions.
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This would mean not only neutralizing human carbon emissions but also potentially reducing atmospheric COâ‚‚ levels.
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Fungi have potential to sequester:
20Gt
Creating a carbon reduction of 9Gt!
Comparison of Other Carbon Sinks:
Forests & Vegetation
Oceans
Carbon Capture
Technology
Sequesters
Approx:
3Gt
Sequesters
Approx:
3Gt
Sequesters
Approx:
0.04Gt