Anaerobic microbial dissolution of transition and heavy metal oxides

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6999410

Francis, A J; Dodge, C J

An anaerobic N-fixing Clostridium sp. with an acetic, butyric, and lactic acid fermentation pattern, isolated from coal-cleaning waste, solubilized Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and MnO/sub 2/ by direct enzymatic reduction; CdO, CuO, PbO, and ZnO were solubilized by indirect action due to the production of metabolites and the lowering of the pH of the growth medium. Extracellular heat-labile components of the cell-free spent medium obtained from cultures without oxide solubilized a significant amount of Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/; however, direct contact with the bacterial cells resulted in the complete dissolution of the oxide. Under identical conditions, the cell-free spent medium solubilized only a small amount of MnO/sub 2/, whereas 2.3 ..mu..mol of the oxide was solubilized by direct bacterial contact. Reduction of Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and MnO/sub 2/ by Clostridium sp. proceeds at different rates and, possibly, by different enzymatic systems. Fe(III) and Mn(IV) oxides appear to be used as sinks for excess electrons generated from glucose fermentation. Dialysis bag experiments with Co/sub 2/O/sub 3/ indicate that there is a slight dissolution of Co followed by precipitation or biosorption. Although Mn/sub 2/O/sub 3/, Ni/sub 2/O/sub 3/, and PbO/sub 2/ may undergo reductive dissolution from a higher to a lower oxidation state, dissolution by direct or indirect action was not observed. Also, Cr/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and NiO were not solubilized by direct or indirect action. Significant amounts of solubilized Cd, Cu, and Pb were immobilized by the bacterial biomass, and the addition of Cu/sup 2 +/ inhibited the growth of the bacterium.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 6999410
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 54:4; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BACTERIA
BIODEGRADATION
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
CADMIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMIUM COMPOUNDS
CHROMIUM OXIDES
CLOSTRIDIUM
COBALT COMPOUNDS
COBALT OXIDES
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER OXIDES
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON OXIDES
LEAD COMPOUNDS
LEAD OXIDES
MANGANESE COMPOUNDS
MANGANESE OXIDES
METABOLISM
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
NICKEL COMPOUNDS
NICKEL OXIDES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
ZINC COMPOUNDS
ZINC OXIDES