Biodegradation of phenylmercuric acetate by mercury-resistant bacteria

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1973 · Appl. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6870043

Nelson, J D; Blair, W; Brinckman, F E; Colwell, R R; Iverson, W P

A number of PMA resistant bacteria were isolated from water and sediment samples as part of an ecological study of the cycling of mercury in Chesapeake Bay. The metabolism of PMA by selected strains of bacteria was investigated to achieve an understanding of bacterial mercury resistance, as well as to assess the role of bacteria in the transformation of mercury in the natural environment. By means of a closed system incorporating a flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer and a vapor phase chromatograph, it was demonstrated that elemental mercury vapor and benzene were products of phenylmercuric acetate degradation.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Maryland, College Park
• OSTI ID: 6870043
• Journal Information: Appl. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 26:3; ISSN APMBA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
550700 -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AROMATICS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BACTERIA
BAYS
BENZENE
BIODEGRADATION
BIOREACTORS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CHEMICAL REACTION YIELD
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHESAPEAKE BAY
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROCARBONS
MERCURY
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METABOLISM
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
MINERAL CYCLING
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
SYNTHESIS
TOLERANCE
VAPORS
YIELDS