Q: What is AMP?
A: The Amazon Mycorenewal Project investigates how mushrooms can be used to help clean up the massive oil pollution that contaminates the Ecuadorian Amazon. Mycorenewal is a fairly new technique that has been proven successful in the lab, but limited stuides have been done on its real-world applications.

Q: How does mycorenewal work?
A: People often ask if mushrooms can "absorb" or "eat" oil. In fact, the root-like component of mushrooms (called mycelium) actually breaks down petroleum by excreting extracellular enzymes outside of its body. This is how fungus metabolizes petroleum. Mycologists acclimate the mycelium we use in a laboratory so that it is accustomed to recognize petroleum as a nutrient.

Q: Why are you working in the Amazon?
A: Many people are unaware that the largest land-based oil spill in the world is located in the Sucumbios province of the Ecuadorian Amazon region. Since the 1960s, Texaco and other oil companies have intentionally dumped petroleum waste products, failed to uphold safety regulations, and ignored degraded pipelines that spring leaks on a weekly basis. As a result, it is estimated that 18.5 billion gallons of oil now contaminates this biodiverse and ecologically unique area.

Q: How are local people dealing with the oil pollution?
A: Local communities are very well organized and are working for legal justice, addressing the resulting public health crisis, and fighting to prevent further spills. The Amazon Defense Coalition is leading a multi-billion dollar lawsuit against Chevron-Texaco for remediation funding to clean up their community. AMP is directed and coordinated by local leaders.

Q: How does the spill affect people and the ecosystem?
A: Local people are afflicted by among the highest cancer rates in the world, birth defects, and severe skin problems. There is no safe water, since groundwater and even rainwater are contaminated by constant leaching. Livestock graze on polluted lands and people bathe and wash clothes in contaminated river water.

Q: Why do you think mycorenewal is an important technique for this situation?
A: For certain types of contaminated sites, mycorenewal can be faster, more effective and much more cost effective than other remediation methods, such as those using bacteria and chemical bleaches. AMP works with mushroom species native to the region.

Q: How can I help?
A: We are greatly in need of funding to continue experiments and education. Contact us to plan a visit with us to the Ecuadorian Amazon, host an event in your community, make a donation or study with us for independent study credit from most universities.