Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Biosorption of mercury by the inactivated cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PU21 (Rip64)

Journal Article · · Biotechnology and Bioengineering; (United States)
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of California, Irvine, CA (United States). Dept. of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Biomass of a mercury-resistance strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa PU21 (Rip64) and hydrogen-form cation exchange resin (AG 50W-X8) were investigated for their ability to adsorb mercury. The maximum adsorption capacity was approximately 180 mg Hg/g dry cell in deionized water and 400 mg Hg/g dry cell in sodium phosphate solution of pH 7.4, higher than the maximum mercury uptake capacity in the cation exchange resin. The mercury selectivity of the biomass over sodium ions was evaluated when 50 mM and 150 mM of Na[sup +] were present. Biosorption of mercury was also examined in sodium phosphate solution and phosphate-buffered saline solution containing 50 mM and 150 mM of Na[sup +], respectively. It was found that the presence of Na[sup +] did not severely affect the biosorption of Hg[sup 2+], indicating a high mercury selectivity of the biomass over sodium ions. In contrast, the mercury uptake by the ion exchange resin was strongly inhibited by high sodium concentrations. The mercury biosorption was most favorable in sodium phosphate solution (pH 7.4), with a more than twofold increase in the maximum mercury uptake capacity. The pH was found to affect the adsorption of Hg[sup 2+] by the biomass and the optimal pH value was approximately 7.4. The adsorption of mercury on the biomass and the ion exchange resin appeared to follow the Langmuir or Freundlich adsorption isotherms.

OSTI ID:
7141215
Journal Information:
Biotechnology and Bioengineering; (United States), Journal Name: Biotechnology and Bioengineering; (United States) Vol. 44:8; ISSN BIBIAU; ISSN 0006-3592
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Biosorption of uranium and thorium. [Rhizopus arrhizus]
Journal Article · Sat Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1981 · Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States) · OSTI ID:5170454

Selective biosorption of lanthanide (La, Eu, Yb) ions by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Journal Article · Sun Jan 31 23:00:00 EST 1999 · Environmental Science and Technology · OSTI ID:323814

Solution and particle effects on the biosorption of heavy metals by seaweed biomass
Journal Article · Sat Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1996 · Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology · OSTI ID:588682