Bioleaching of heavy metals from a contaminated soil using indigenous Penicillium chrysogenum strain F1

► The leaching efficiency of two-step bioleaching is better than one-step bioleaching using Penicillium chrysogenum strain F1. ► Carbonate fraction and Fe/Mn oxide fraction of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn were easily removed. ► The residual metals were mainly bound in stable fractions after bioleaching. ► Heavy metals such as Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn have no influence on the metabolism of P. chrysogenum. ► The resistance method of P. chrysogenum to heavy metals was by adsorbing or preventing entry of metals into the cell.