Bacterial removal of mercury from sewage

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.260261110· OSTI ID:5758215

Hansen, C L; Zwolinski, G; Martin, D; Williams, J W

Mercury-resistant bacteria, which are able to reduce mercuric ion (Hg/sup 2 +/) to metallic mercury (Hg/sup 0/), were examined for their ability to remove mercury from wastewater aerobically. Growth studies in artificial medium indicated that mercury increases the lag phase, but does not effect the growth rate of these bacteria. Further studies demonstrated that growth was minimal during a phase of rapid mercury removal, after which growth resumed. Small but significant amounts of carbohydrates are required for the mercuric ion reduction. Prolonged periods of bacterial growth under nonsterile conditions was accomplished without the loss of the mercuric reducing ability of the culture. A continuous culture of the resistant organism was maintained on raw sewage for two weeks, during which time relatively high concentrations of mercury (70 mg/L) were removed from the sewage at a rate of 2.5 mg/L h and at efficiencies exceeding 98%.

• Research Organization: Ohio State Univ., Columbus
• OSTI ID: 5758215
• Journal Information: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States), Journal Name: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States) Vol. 26:11; ISSN BIBIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560302 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Microorganisms-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROBIC CONDITIONS
BACTERIA
CARBOHYDRATES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONTINUOUS CULTURE
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
GROWTH
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LIQUID WASTES
MERCURY
METABOLISM
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REDUCTION
REMOVAL
SEWAGE
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SLUDGES
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER