Selective biosorption of thorium ions by an immobilized mycobacterial biomass

The biosorption of thorium and uranyl ions by cells of Mycobacterium smegmatis has been studied as a function of initial cation concentration. A similar sorption saturation level was observed for both ions. For immobilized cells, optimal conditions of metal ion retention were found for a bacterial m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied microbiology and biotechnology 1995-12, Vol.44 (1-2), p.271-276
Main Authors: ANDRES, Y, MACCORDICK, H. J, HUBERT, J. C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Biology of microorganisms of confirmed or potential industrial interest
Biotechnology
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Sciences
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Miscellaneous
Mission oriented research
Mycobacterium smegmatis
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Summary:The biosorption of thorium and uranyl ions by cells of Mycobacterium smegmatis has been studied as a function of initial cation concentration. A similar sorption saturation level was observed for both ions. For immobilized cells, optimal conditions of metal ion retention were found for a bacterial mass/support concentration ratio of 1/6. However, selective uptake of thorium was manifest in solutions of the mixed cations. X-ray diffraction studies of the heat-dried biomasses loaded with cations showed that uranyl-loaded samples present a distinct pattern typical of ammonium uranyl phosphate, whereas thorium-loaded samples are amorphous. The microorganism used appears to have useful properties for applications in connection with separation and concentration of natural radioelements under conditions of high dilution. (DBO)
ISSN:0175-7598
1432-0614
DOI:10.1007/BF00164514