{
  "abstract": "Microbial degradation of cable insulation materials is a critical issue affecting the reliability of power systems. In this study, metagenomic analysis was employed to reveal the microbial community structure on contaminated substation cables, identifying Curvularia lunata as a dominant fungal species in high-voltage environments. Subsequently, a specific strain, Curvularia lunata B3, was isolated and identified for further investigation. To assess its specific impact on insulation performance, artificial inoculation experiments were conducted on secondary cable samples. Multi-dimensional characterization techniques, including SEM, WCA measurements, halogen moisture analysis, FTIR, XPS, and LCR digital bridge testing, were utilized to evaluate material degradation. The results demonstrated that C. lunata colonization caused significant surface erosion, characterized by the formation of holes and furrows. This physical damage was accompanied by a marked decrease in hydrophobicity, with the water contact angle dropping from 88.30 ± 0.79° to 78.27 ± 1.27°, and a gradual increase in water content to approximately 1.2% over 60 days. Chemical analysis revealed that microbial activity induced oxidation and dechlorination of the PVC insulation, evidenced by the reduction of C-Cl bonds and the emergence of oxygen-containing functional groups. These physicochemical alterations significantly compromised the electrical insulation of the cables, as evidenced by a marked decrease in series resistance (Rs) and an increase in series capacitance (Cs). This study elucidates the mechanisms of fungal erosion on cable insulation and provides a scientific basis for developing targeted protective strategies in power systems.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Key Laboratory of Biological Resource and Ecological Environment of Chinese Education Ministry, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China",
    "Animal Disease Prevention and Green Development Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China",
    "Core Laboratory, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 15,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yimeng Liu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Shiying Yan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Jian Zhang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Yiping Chen"
    },
    {
      "name": "Yue Zhou"
    },
    {
      "name": "Changyi Huang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Tianlan Jiang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Yu Gao"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hansheng Zhu"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hao Shi"
    },
    {
      "name": "Chaoyi Han"
    },
    {
      "name": "Fosheng Li"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jie Zhang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jian Zhao"
    },
    {
      "name": "Mei Cao"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/88chy0d88h6wx.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0357774",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "88chy0d88h6wx",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357774",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2505|High voltage insulation and dielectric phenomena"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Ecology/Community ecology/Community structure"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Genetics/Genomics/Metagenomics"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Mycology/Fungal structure"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Ecology and environmental sciences/Ecology/Community ecology/Community structure"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Polymer chemistry/Macromolecules/Polymers"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Polymer chemistry/Macromolecules/Polymers/Polyvinyl chloride"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Polymer chemistry/Polymers"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Polymer chemistry/Polymers/Polyvinyl chloride"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Materials science/Material properties/Capacitance"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Materials science/Materials/Polymers"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Materials science/Materials/Polymers/Polyvinyl chloride"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Microscopy/Electron microscopy/Scanning electron microscopy"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Spectrum analysis techniques/Electron beam spectrum analysis techniques/X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7211954832",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0357774&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-08",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/88chy0d88h6wx.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0357774",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357774"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "plos:polymer chemistry",
      "subfield": "materials-polymers"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Curvularia lunata drives biodeterioration of PVC secondary cable insulation involving surface colonization, moisture retention and chemical deterioration",
  "title_text": "Curvularia lunata drives biodeterioration of PVC secondary cable insulation involving surface colonization, moisture retention and chemical deterioration",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/88chy0d88h6wx",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
  "versions": []
}