The mechanism of uranium biosorption by Rhizopus arrhizus

Journal Article · Sun Jan 31 23:00:00 EST 1982 · Biotechnol. Bioeng. Symp.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.260240211· OSTI ID:5297979

Tsezos, M; Volesky, B

Biosorption of elements is a little understood phenomenon exhibited by some types of even nonliving microbial biomass. A common fungus Rhizopus arrhizus has been reportd to take up uranium from adqueous solutions to the extent of 180 mg U/sup 6 +//g. The mechanism of uranium sequestering by this type of biomass was studied by using experimental techniques such as electron microscopy, x-ray energy dispersion analysis, IR spectroscopy, and supporting evidence was obtained for a biosorption mechanism consisting of at least three processes. Uranium coordination and adsorption in the cell-wall chitin structure occur simultaneously and rapidly whereas precipitation of uranylhdroxide within the chitin microcrystalline cell-wall structure takes place at a lower rate. Interference of Fe/sup 2/ and Zn/sup 2 +/ coions with uranium biosorption is indicated.

• Research Organization: McGill Univ., Montreal, Canada
• OSTI ID: 5297979
• Journal Information: Biotechnol. Bioeng. Symp.; (United States), Journal Name: Biotechnol. Bioeng. Symp.; (United States) Vol. 24:2; ISSN BIBSB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550701* -- Microbiology-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ACTINIDES
ADSORPTION
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DISPERSIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
FUNGI
INFRARED RADIATION
IONS
IRON COMPOUNDS
METALS
MICROSCOPY
MIXTURES
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
PLANTS
RADIATIONS
RHIZOPUS
SOLUTIONS
SORPTION
SPECTROSCOPY
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
URANIUM
X-RAY EMISSION ANALYSIS
ZINC COMPOUNDS