Over the course of three weeks, I learned about plants, animals, and fungi in Biomimicry class. Each week we visited different places to apply what we learned. For example, we observed a variety of organisms at the Lincoln Park Zoo and studied their unique adaptations. Similarly, we looked at plants in the Lincoln Park Conservatory and learned about reusing waste through composting and aquaponics at Plant Chicago. Conducive to biomimicry, the concept of this Action Project revolves around design inspired by nature to address different challenges. In the fungi unit, we learned about different ways that organisms turn waste into nutrients in relation to the closed-loop cycle of nature. As you will see, my design focuses on a specific decomposer and how it can bring life back to bodies of water exposed to toxic materials and pollution.
Currently, about seventy percent of surface water on Earth is polluted (Fleming, 2020) and it is estimated that by 2050, between 2.5 and 4.4 billion people will have "limited access to water" (Witze, 2018). In order to address water contamination and pollution, we can look to nature and find ways to restore these areas. What we're asking here is: How does nature tackle the most "unnatural" substances and sustain life? It turns out that some life forms actually take this "waste" and turn it into nutrients for surrounding organisms. Magical, right? We call them decomposers, and we can look specifically at mushrooms in this case.
As for the solution, it's important to recognize that without any form of protection, they are susceptible to predators and weather in the water. Furthermore, being placed directly in a new ecosystem can make it difficult to grow and have room to breathe. Paul Stamets proposed a very similar and effective idea called "MycoBooms" (Stamets, 2010). In his design, he used burlap tubes to contain the mushrooms in the water. My design would use also use a biodegradable material called hemp fabric. Either material would likely be very effective in absorbing water and holding the mushrooms, but it is worth noting that hemp-based materials would break down much faster (and this process could be accelerated by the water).
Hemp Bag Sketch, 2021 (LMA)
Aside from the bag, Stamets' design included oyster mushrooms. I also propose the use of mushrooms due to their mycelia (similar to the roots of a flower). They possess several adaptations including extracellular digestion (enzyme secretion to break down food and waste), hyphae (filaments that branch out and collect water and nutrients), and sclerotium (mass of hardened mycelium that acts as food reserves) (Hendzel). However, instead of oyster mushrooms, my design included Agarikon mushrooms (Laricifomes Officinalis). I could not find any instances of them being used in a similar fashion, but they also have many benefits in terms of adaptations. This includes many active compounds such as agaric acid that help regulate lipid metabolism (MCE) and adaptations that benefit humans like "strong antiviral activity" (Staahl, 2021) and polysaccharides that help stimulate or suppress the immune system (University of California, 2006). For reference, below is a simple drawing of typical mushroom anatomy:
In order to design a solution inspired by nature, it's important to keep in mind the six "Life's Principles" in order to be "conducive to life" (Life's Principles, 2013). These principles are "lessons from nature" that recognize the interconnectedness and efficiency of designs that are valuable for all forms of life. Two examples are the use of "Life-Friendly Chemistry" and being "Resource Efficient." With these in mind, the decomposition of the toxic waste will promote restoration when the mushrooms provide nutrients to surrounding plants. Additionally, the biodegradable bags decompose in the earth, and the introduced species provide nourishment and make use of otherwise harmful substances. Looking out for our future in seven generations, the streams can still sustain themselves and support life if the mycelium and mushrooms continue to grow/reproduce. Depending on the type of toxic material, the bags of mycelium could be part of a circular economy. The filtered water could be used for drinking, cooking, utilities, etc, and then poured back into streams to be re-filtered.
In connection to the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals, the biodegradable bags and their contents can restore “water-related ecosystems” and protect life by turning toxic waste into nutrients. This will address goal 6 "Clean Water and Sanitation" specifically, target 6.6 (protect and restore water-related ecosystems including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes).
Throughout the design process, I was able to practice identifying solutions to real-world problems and learn from the previous research in mycology. It was through research that I was able to go back to my original ideas and present them in a realistic way. It wasn't hard finding an issue to tackle, but it was a little difficult getting out of my own head and trying to put myself in the shoes of nature. This led to me changing a few components of my design, and re-sketch my ideas, but ultimately was a key part of the final result.
First Design Sketch, 2021 (LMA)
After learning about my design, you now know a little more about mushrooms and how they can benefit the environment. Taking away this information, I hope that we can all, collectively, be more appreciative of the bodies of water conducive to our life and exercise interest in their "health." Many people across the world are not fortunate enough to have access to stable, clean water, and it is in the interest of them and the environment that we talk about solutions inspired by natural processes when addressing challenges of design and sustainability.
Works Cited
Adaptations, http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2007/hendzel_abby/adaptations.htm.
“Agaric Acid (Agaricinic Acid): Mitochondrial Metabolism Activator: Medchemexpress.” MedchemExpress.com, https://www.medchemexpress.com/agaric-acid.html.
“Agarikon (Fomitopsis Officinalis).” Out, https://www.out-grow.com/agarikon-fomitopsis-officinalis.
Fleming, Esther. “Home.” SidmartinBio, 24 Apr. 2020, https://www.sidmartinbio.org/what-is-the-percent-of-water-pollution-on-earth/.
“Goal 6 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs.” United Nations, United Nations, https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6.
Hippocampus Biology: Structure and Function of Polysaccharides, https://www.hippocampus.org/player/topicText?topic=163.
Laura. Profile of Paul Stamets, Blogger, 7 Apr. 2018, http://lromaniello.blogspot.com/2018/04/profile-of-paul-stamets.html.
Staahl, Derek. “Can Mushrooms Fight Covid? UC San Diego Launches First-of-Its-Kind Clinical Trial.” KGTV, KGTV, 24 Mar. 2021, https://www.10news.com/news/coronavirus/can-mushrooms-fight-covid-uc-san-diego-launches-first-of-its-kind-clinical-trial.
Stamets, Paul. “Agarikon: Ancient Mushroom for Modern Medicine.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 7 Dec. 2017, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/agarikon-mushroom_b_1861947.
Stamets, Paul. “The Petroleum Problem.” Fungi Perfecti, Fungi Perfecti, 3 June 2010, https://fungi.com/blogs/articles/the-petroleum-problem.
WayofLeaf. “Agarikon Mushrooms: What Are They?” WayofLeaf, WayofLeaf, 19 July 2021, https://wayofleaf.com/supplements/mushrooms/agarikon-mushrooms.
Witze, Alexandra. “More than 2 Billion People Lack Safe Drinking Water. That Number Will Only Grow.” Science News, 21 Aug. 2019, https://www.sciencenews.org/article/future-will-people-have-enough-water-live.
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