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Sorption of strontium by bacteria, Fe(III) oxide, and bacteria--Fe(III) oxide composites

Journal Article · · Environmental Science and Technology
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es9905694· OSTI ID:20006578

This study provides the first quantitative comparison of the sorptive capacities of a bacteria--Fe oxide composite to its individual components. These results have enormous significance for understanding the fate and transport of inorganic contaminants in natural aqueous environments where heterogeneous bacteria--oxide composite solids are commonly found. The authors quantify Sr{sup 2+} sorption to the bacteria Shewanella alga, Shewanella putrefaciens, amorphous hydrous ferric oxide (HGO), and S. alga coated with HFO over a range of total Sr{sup 2+} concentrations and pH, under well controlled laboratory conditions. Significant Sr{sup 2+} sorption occurred at significantly lower pH values to the bacteria and S. alga-HFO composite compared to HFO. Geochemical modeling using a generalized Langmuir equation showed that the bacteria sorb significantly greater quantities of Sr{sup 2+} (maximum sorptive capacity: BSr{sub max} = 0.079 and 0.075 mmol{sm{underscore}bullet}g{sup {minus}1} for S. alga and S. putrefaciens, respectively) than the HFO (0.001 mmol{sm{underscore}bullet}g{sup {minus}1}). The observed BSr{sub max} for the S. alga-HFO composite was less than the combined sorptive properties of its components = 0.041 mmol{sm{underscore}bullet}g{sup {minus}1}, likely reflecting HFO masking of bacterial surface binding sites.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Toronto, Ontario (CA)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Department of Energy
DOE Contract Number:
FG07-96ER62317
OSTI ID:
20006578
Journal Information:
Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 24 Vol. 33; ISSN ESTHAG; ISSN 0013-936X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English