Metal uptake by mycelia during submerged growth and by sporocarps of an edible fungus Volvariella volvacea.

Uptake of a few metals by V. volvacea was determined during submerged growth of the organism in sublethal concentration of each metal salt. The uptake of Pb2+ and Hg2+ was 5 and 5.23 micrograms g-1 respectively while that of Cu2+ was 500 micrograms g-1 under experimental conditions. Treatment of spawned substrate separately with different metal salts showed maximum and minimum uptake of Pb2+ (100 micrograms g-1) and Cd2+ (2.93 micrograms g-1) respectively by sporocarps. All metal salts at test concentrations reduced biological efficiency of sporocarp production but markedly by Co2+. Cd2+ and Co2+ were highly toxic to mycelia and sporocarps respectively. The uptake of Cu2+ by mycelia and Pb2+ by sporocarps were highest among the five metals tested. Metal toxicity, tolerance and uptake capacity of V. volvacea differ considerably with concentration of metal ions.     

Metal concentrations of insects associated with the South African Ni hyperaccumulator Berkheya coddii （Asteraceae）

The high levels of some metals in metal hyperaccumulator plants may be transferred to insect associates. We surveyed insects collected from the South African Ni hyperaccumulator Berkheya coddii to document whole-body metal concentrations （Co, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn）. We also documented the concentrations of these metals in leaves, stems and inflorescences, finding extremely elevated levels of Ni （4 700-16 000μg/g） and high values （5-34μg/g） for Co, Cr, and Pb. Of 26 insect morphotypes collected from B. coddii, seven heteropterans, one coleopteran, and one orthopteran contained relatively high concentrations of Ni （〉 500μg/g）. The large number of high-Ni heteropterans adds to discoveries of others （from California USA and New Caledonia） and suggests that members of this insect order may be particularly Ni tolerant. Nymphs of the orthopteran （Stenoscepa） contained 3 500 μg Ni/g, the greatest Ni concentration yet reported for an insect. We also found two beetles with elevated levels of Mg （〉 2 800 μg/g）, one beetle with elevated Cu （〉 70 μg/g） and one heteropteran with an elevated level of Mn （〉 200 μg/g）. Our results show that insects feeding on a Ni hyperaccumulator can mobilize Ni into food webs, although we found no evidence of Ni biomagnification in either herbivore or carnivore insect taxa. We also conclude that some insects associated with hyperaccumulators can contain Ni levels that are high enough to be toxic to vertebrates.     

Production of nickel bio-ore from hyperaccumulator plant biomass: applications in phytomining

An important step in phytomining operations is the recovery of metal from harvested plant material. In this work, a laboratory-scale horizontal tube furnace was used to generate Ni-enriched bio-ore from the dried biomass of Ni hyperaccumulator plants. Prior to furnace treatment, hairy roots of Alyssum bertolonii were exposed to Ni in liquid medium to give biomass Ni concentrations of 1.9% to 7.7% dry weight; whole plants of Berkheya coddii were grown in Ni-containing soil to produce above-ground Ni levels of up to 0.49% dry weight. The concentration of Ca in the Ni-treated B. coddii biomass was about 15 times greater than in A. bertolonii. After furnace treatment at 1200 degrees C under air, Ni-bearing residues with crystalline morphology and containing up to 82% Ni were generated from A. bertolonii. The net weight loss in the furnace and the degree of concentration of Ni were significantly reduced when the furnace was purged with nitrogen, reflecting the importance of oxidative processes in Ni enrichment. Ni in the B. coddii biomass was concentrated by a factor of about 17 to yield a residue containing 8.6% Ni; this bio-ore Ni content is substantially higher than the 1% to 2% Ni typically found in mined ore. However, the B. coddii samples after furnace treatment also contained about 34% Ca, mainly in the form of hydroxyapatite Ca(5)(PO(4))(3)OH. Such high Ca levels may present significant challenges for further metallurgical processing. This work demonstrates the feasibility of furnace treatment for generating Ni-rich bio-ore from hyperaccumulator plants. The results also suggest that minimizing the uptake of Ca and/or reducing the Ca content of the biomass prior to furnace treatment would be a worthwhile strategy for improving the quality of Ni bio-ore produced in phytomining operations.     

基因工程菌大肠杆菌JM109富集废水中镍离子的研究

利用通过基因工程技术所构建的在细胞内同时表达出高特异性镍转运蛋白和金属硫蛋白的基因工程菌富集水体中的镍离子。菌体细胞对Ni²⁺的富集速率很快,富集过程满足Langmuir等温线模型。与原始宿主菌相比,经基因改造的基因工程菌不仅最大镍富集容量增加了5倍多,而且对pH值、离子强度的变化及其它共存重金属离子的影响都呈现出更强的适应性。相比而言,Na⁺、Ca²⁺、Cd²⁺、Pb²⁺的影响较小,但Mg²⁺、Hg²⁺和Cu²⁺所引起的负面效应较大。进一步的实验表明基因工程菌对Ni2+的富集行为不需要外加营养物质。     

Phytoextraction of zinc, copper, nickel and lead from a contaminated soil by different species of Brassica

In a pot culture experiment, five different species of Brassica (Brassica juncea, Brassica campestris, Brassica carinata, Brassica napus, and Brassica nigra) were grown for screening possible accumulators of heavy metals, viz. Zn, Cu, Ni, and Pb. The plants were grown to maturity in a soil irrigated with sewage effluents for more than two decades in West Delhi, India. The soil analysis showed enhanced accumulation of Zn, Cu, Ni, and Pb in this sewage-irrigated soil. Among all species, B. carinata showed the highest concentration (mg kg(-1)) as well as uptake (microg pot(-1)) of Ni and Pb at maturity. Although B. campestris showed a higher concentration of Zn in its shoots (stem plus leaf), B. carinata extracted the largest amount of this metal due to greater biomass production. However, B. juncea phytoextracted the largest amount of Cu from the soil. In general, the highest concentration and uptake of metal was observed in shoots compared to roots or seeds of the different species. Among the Brassica spp., B. carinata cv. DLSC1 emerged as the most promising, showing greater uptake of Zn, Ni, and Pb, while B. juncea cv. Pusa Bold showed the highest uptake of Cu. The B. napus also showed promise, as it ranked second with respect to total uptake of Pb, Zn, and Ni, and third for Cu. Total uptake of metals by Brassica spp. correlated negatively with available as well as the total soil metal concentrations. Among the root parameters, root length emerged as the powerful parameter to dictate the uptake of metals by Brassica spp. Probably for the first time, B. carinata was reported as a promising phytoextractor for Zn, Ni, and Pb, which performed better than B. juncea.     

构树的污泥适应性及养分和重金属吸收累积特征

构树是我国重要速生经济树种,具有适应性强、生物量大和重金属富集能力强等优点,而污泥中含有大量养分和重金属,在污泥中种植构树有望同时实现污泥生态修复和构树资源生产。本研究通过盆栽试验,分析在对照(赤红壤)、50%污泥(污泥、赤红壤混合基质,重量比各50%)和100%污泥基质中构树生长及不同部位(根、茎、叶)养分和重金属吸收累积特征,并通过主成分分析和隶属度函数对吸收累积能力进行综合评价。结果表明: 构树在50%和100%污泥中均可正常生长且株高、生物量显著高于对照,在100%污泥中长势最好,质量指数(1.02)分别是对照和50%污泥处理的4.3和2.4倍。50%和100%污泥处理构树各部位N含量和茎P含量显著高于对照,100%污泥处理构树茎、叶K含量显著低于对照。构树对Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Ni的吸收部位以根为主,根系重金属含量与污泥比例呈正相关,叶Pb、Cd含量符合《饲料卫生标准》(GB 13078—2017)。构树对Cd的吸收累积效果好于其他重金属元素。与对照相比,50%和100%污泥处理构树根部Zn、Pb、Cd滞留率显著提高(57.8%~85.8%),100%污泥处理构树根部Cu、Ni滞留率显著提高(67.5%和74.8%)。污泥处理全株养分和重金属累积量均显著大于对照,其中100%污泥处理显著大于50%污泥处理。与50%污泥处理相比,100%污泥处理构树各部位及全株养分和重金属累积量大幅提高。不同处理下构树污泥适应性和元素吸收累积的综合评价得分为100%污泥(0.848)>50%污泥(0.344)>对照(0.080)。构树对污泥具有良好的适应性,在纯污泥中能够正常生长并具有较强的吸收累积养分和重金属能力,可在修复污泥的同时进行构树资源生产。     

Bioremediation of Heavy Metals in Liquid Media Through Fungi Isolated from Contaminated Sources

Wastewater particularly from electroplating, paint, leather, metal and tanning industries contain enormous amount of heavy metals. Microorganisms including fungi have been reported to exclude heavy metals from wastewater through bioaccumulation and biosorption at low cost and in eco-friendly way. An attempt was, therefore, made to isolate fungi from sites contaminated with heavy metals for higher tolerance and removal of heavy metals from wastewater. Seventy-six fungal isolates tolerant to heavy metals like Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni were isolated from sewage, sludge and industrial effluents containing heavy metals. Four fungi (Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Aspegillus awamori, Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma viride) also were included in this study. The majority of the fungal isolates were able to tolerate up to 400 ppm concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni. The most heavy metal tolerant fungi were studied for removal of heavy metals from liquid media at 50 ppm concentration. Results indicated removal of substantial amount of heavy metals by some of the fungi. With respect to Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni, maximum uptake of 59.67, 16.25, 0.55, and 0.55 mg/g was observed by fungi Pb3 (Aspergillus terreus), Trichoderma viride, Cr8 (Trichoderma longibrachiatum), and isolate Ni27 (A. niger) respectively. This indicated the potential of these fungi as biosorbent for removal of heavy metals from wastewater and industrial effluents containing higher concentration of heavy metals.     

Host plant selection of Chrysolina clathrata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from Mpumalanga, South Africa

Hyperaccumulated elements such as Ni may defend plants against some natural enemies whereas other enemies may circumvent this defense. The Ni hyperaccumulator Berkheya coddii Roessler (Asteraceae) is a host plant species for Chrysolina clathrata (Clark), which suffers no apparent harm by consuming its leaf tissue. Beetle specimens collected from B. coddii had a whole body Ni concentration of 260 μg/g dry weight, despite consuming leaf material containing 15 100 μg Ni/g. Two experiments were conducted with adults of this beetle species: a no-choice experiment and a choice experiment. In the no-choice experiment we offered beetles foliage of one of four species of Berkheya: B. coddii, B. rehmannii Thell. var. rogersiana Thell., B. echinacea (Harv.) O. Hoffm. ex Burtt Davey, and B. insignis (Harv.) Thell. The two former species are Ni hyperaccumulators (defined as having leaf Ni concentration > 1 000 μg/g) whereas the latter have low Ni levels (< 200 μg/g) in their leaves. Masses of beetles were monitored for 6 days. Choice experiments used growing stem tips from the same Berkheya species, placed into Petri dishes with five Chrysolina beetles in each, and the amount of feeding damage caused on each of the four species was recorded. Beetles in the no-choice experiment gained mass when offered B. coddii , maintained mass on leaves of the other Ni hyperaccumulator ( B. rehmannii var. rogersiana ), and lost mass when offered non-hyperaccumulator leaves. In the choice test, beetles strongly preferred B. coddii to other Berkheya species. We conclude that C. clathrata may be host-specific on B. coddii.     

Evaluation of a new peat-based sorbent for metals capture

A new peat-based sorbent was evaluated for the capture of heavy metals from waste streams. The media is a pelletted blend of organic humic material targeted for the capture of soluble metals from industrial waste streams and stormwater. The metals chosen for the media evaluation were Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn due to their occurrence and abundance in waste streams and runoff. Sorption tests included an evaluation of the rate and extent of metals capture by the media, single versus multicomponent metals uptake, pH, anion influence, leaching effects and the effect of media moisture content on uptake rate and capacity. Isotherms of the sorption results showed that the presence of multiple metals increased the total sorption capacity of the media compared to the single component metal capacity; a result of site selectivity within the media. However the capacity for an individual metal in a multicomponent metal matrix was reduced compared to its single component capacity, due to competition for sites. Evidence of ion exchange behavior was observed but did not account for all metals capture. The media also provided a buffering action to counter the pH drop typically associated with metals capture.     

Modelling Bioaccumulation and Toxicity of Metal Mixtures

Bioaccumulation of metals in mixtures may demonstrate competitive, anticompetitive, or non-competitive inhibition, as well as various combinations of these and/or enhancement of metal uptake. These can be distinguished by plotting (metal in water)/(metal in tissue) against metal in water and comparison to equivalent plots for single-metal exposure. For the special case of pure competitive inhibition where only one site of uptake is involved, inhibition of metal accumulation in any metal mixture can be predicted from bioaccumulation of the metals when present singly. This is consistent with the commonly used Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) but does not explain bioaccumulation of metals in Hyalella azteca. Options for modelling toxicity of metal mixtures include concentration or response addition based on metal concentrations in either water or tissues. If the site of toxic action is on the surface of the organism, if this is the same as the site of metal interaction for bioaccumulation, if there is only one such type of site, and if metal bioaccumulation interactions are purely competitive (as in the BLM), then metal toxicity should be concentration additive and predictable from metal concentrations in either water or tissues. This is the simplest toxicity interaction to model but represents only one of many possibilities. The BLM should, therefore, be used with caution when attempting to model metal interactions, and other possibilities must also be considered.     

Effects of Ca2+ on ethanolaminephosphotransferase and cholinephosphotransferase in rabbit platelets

The effects of Ca2+ on ethanolaminephosphotransferase [EC 2.7.8.1] and cholinephosphotransferase [EC 2.7.8.2] activities in rabbit platelet membranes were studied using endogenous diglyceride and CDP-[3H]ethanolamine or CDP-[14C]choline as substrates. Both transferases required Mn2+, Co2+, or Mg2+ as a metal cofactor and the optimal concentrations of the metals for both activities were about 5, 10, and 5 mM, respectively. When 5 mM Mg2+ was used as a cofactor, both transferase activities were inhibited by a low concentration of Ca2+ (half maximal inhibition at approx. 15 microM). In the presence of 5 mM Mn2+, however, approx. 5 mM Ca2+ was required to produce half maximal inhibition. The Ca2+-induced inhibition was reversible and the rate of the inhibition was not affected either by the concentrations of the CDP-compound or by exogenously added diacylglycerol. The relationship between Ca2+ and both Mg2+ and Mn2+ on the transferase activities was competitive. 45Ca2+ binding (and/or uptake) to the platelet membranes was inhibited by Mn2+, Mg2+, and Co2+, in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the inhibitory effects of the three metal ions on the total Ca2+ binding (and/or uptake) did not correlate with the activation of both transferase activities by the three metal ions in the presence of Ca2+. These results suggest that both transferase activities are regulated by low concentrations of Ca2+ in the presence of optimal concentrations of Mg2+, and that the inhibition is mediated directly by Ca2+, which interacts with a specific metal cofactor binding site(s) of the transferases.     

Phosphatase-mediated heavy metal accumulation by a Citrobacter sp. and related enterobacteria

Abstract A Citrobacter sp. was reported previously to accumulate heavy metals as cell-bound heavy metal phosphates. Metal uptake is mediated by the activity of a periplasmic acid-type phosphatase that liberates inorganic phosphate to provide the precipitant ligand for heavy metals presented to the cells. Amino acid sequencing of peptide fragments of the purified enzyme revealed significant homology to the phoN product (acid phosphatase) of some other enterobacteria. These organisms, together with Klebsiella pneumoniae , previously reported to produce acid phosphatase, were tested for their ability to remove uranium and lanthanum from challenge solutions supplemented with phosphatase substrate. The coupling of phosphate liberation to metal bioaccumulation was limited to the metal accumulating Citrobacter sp.; therefore the participation of species-specific additional factors in metal bioaccumulation was suggested.     

Field-based investigation on phytoremediation potentials of Lemna minor and Azolla filiculoides in tropical,semiarid regions: Case of Ethiopia

This study investigated the concurrent accumulation of eight heavy metals by two floating aquatic macrophytes (Lemna minor and Azolla filiculoides) cultivated in ambient media and blended wastewaters in the semiarid regions of Ethiopia. Both species accumulated heavy metals in varying degrees with a significant concentration gradient within the immediate water media. Highest bioconcentration factor (BCF) was determined for Mn and Fe in both plants. Results revealed that L. minor was high phytoaccumulator for Fe, Mn, Zn, and Co but moderate for Cd, Cu, Ni, and Cr. On the other hand, A. filiculoides was a high accumulator for Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu, but its potency was moderate for Co, Cr, and Ni, but lower for Cd. Both species exhibited significant difference in accumulating Co, Zn, and Mn (p < 0.05). In general, the BCFs for both plants were comparable within the same treatment. In this study, stronger associations between the heavy metal concentrations in the plant tissues and in the grown water media were observed for A. filiculoides.     

The use of hollow fiber cross-flow microfiltration in bioaccumulation and continuous removal of heavy metals from solution by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Cross-flow microfiltration was shown to retain Saccharomyces cerevisiae biomass utilized for heavy metal bioaccumulation. The passage of metal-laden influent through a series of sequential bioaccumulation systems allowed for further reductions in the levels of copper, cadmium, and cobalt in the final effluent than that afforded by a single bioaccumulation process. Serial bioaccumulation systems also allowed for partial separation of metals from dual metal influents. More than one elemental metal cation could be accumulated simultaneously and in greater quantities than when a single metal was present in the effluent (Cu(2+) 0.43 mmol, Cu(2+) + Cd(2+) 0.67 mmol, and Cu(2+) + Co(2+) 0.83 mmol/g yeast dry mass when the initial concentration of each of the metal species was 0.2 mmol.L(-1)). Co-accumulation of two different metal cations allowed higher total levels of bioaccumulation than found with a single metal. The flux rate was 2.9 x 10(2) L.h(-2)mum(-2) using a polypropylene microfiltration membrane (0.1 mum pore size) at 25 degrees C. (c) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Physiological metal uptake by Nostoc punctiforme

Trace metals are required for many cellular processes. The acquisition of trace elements from the environment includes a rapid adsorption of metals to the cell surface, followed by a slower internalization. We investigated the uptake of the trace elements Co(2+), Cu(2+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+), and Zn(2+) and the non-essential divalent cation Cd(2+) in the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme. For each metal, a dose response study based on cell viability showed that the highest non-toxic concentrations were: 0.5?μM Cd(2+), 2?μM Co(2+), 0.5?μM Cu(2+), 500?μM Mn(2+), 1?μM Ni(2+), and 18?μM Zn(2+). Cells exposed to these non-toxic concentrations with combinations of Zn(2+) and Cd(2+), Zn(2+) and Co(2+), Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) or Zn(2+) and Ni(2+), had reduced growth in comparison to controls. Cells exposed to metal combinations with the addition of 500?μM Mn(2+) showed similar growth compared to the untreated controls. Metal levels were measured after one and 72?h for whole cells and absorbed (EDTA-resistant) fractions and used to calculate differential uptake rates for each metal. The differences in binding and internalisation between different metals indicate different uptake processes exist for each metal. For each metal, competitive uptake experiments using (65)Zn showed that after 72?h of exposure Zn(2+) uptake was reduced by most metals particularly 0.5?μM Cd(2+), while 2?μM Co(2+) increased Zn(2+) uptake. This study demonstrates that N. punctiforme discriminates between different metals and favourably substitutes their uptake to avoid the toxic effects of particular metals.     

Response of Vicia faba L. to metal toxicity on mine tailing substrate: Geochemical and morphological changes in leaf and root

Vicia faba L. seeds were grown in a pot experiment on soil, mine tailings, and a mixture of both to mimic field situations in cultivated contaminated areas near mining sites. Metals in the substrates and their translocation in root, stem and leaf tissues were investigated, including morphological responses of plants growing on mine tailings. Metal concentration – and generally bioaccumulation – was in the order: roots > leaves > stems, except Pb and Cd. Translocation was most significant for Zn and Cd, but limited for Pb. Metal concentration in root and leaf was not proportional to that in the substrates, unexpectedly the minimum being observed in the mixed substrate whilst plant growth was retarded by 20% (38% on tailings). Calcium, pH, organic matter and phosphorus were the main influencing factors for metal translocation. The ultrastructure of V. faba L. cells changed a lot in the mine tailings group: root cell walls were thickened with electron dense Pb, Zn and C particles; in chloroplasts, the number of plastoglobuli increased, whereas the thylakoids were swollen and their number decreased in grana. Finally, needle-shaped crystalline concretions made of Ca and P, with Zn content, were formed in the apoplast of the plants. The stratagems of V. faba L. undergoing high concentrations of toxic metals in carbonate substrate, suggest root cell wall thickening to decrease uptake of toxic metals, a possible control of metal transport from roots to leaves by synthesizing phytochelators–toxic metal complexes, and finally a control of exceeded Ca and metal concentration in leaves by crystal P formation as ultimate response to stress defense. The geochemical factors influencing metal availability, guaranty a reduction of metal content in plant growing on mixed tailing/soil substrate as far as carbonate are not completely dissolved.     

Accumulation of Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Ni and Pb in Pavlova viridis Tseng (Haptophyceae)

The flagellate alga Pavlova viridis Tseng was investigated in the laboratory for accumulation of the heavy metals, silver, cadmium, cobalt, copper, mercury, nickel and lead. The cultures were grown in an artificial seawater medium mixed with the individual metals at different concentrations. Based on data from the controls, the baseline metal concentrations in P. viridis were shown to be in an order of Cu > Pb > Co > Cd > Ni > Ag > Hg. In the experimental groups, the seven metals displayed different isotherm equilibrium patterns and the metal uptake capacity of the alga was Ni > Pb > Co > Hg > Cu > Cd > Ag at equilibrium. When assessed using the bioconcentration factors, metal accumulation by P. viridis was demonstrated to be the most efficient at a concentration of 0.001 mg L-1 for Ag, Cd and Co, and at 0.01 mg L-1 for Cu, Hg, Ni and Pb. This study suggests that P. viridis can be a source of mineral supplements in mariculture. The alga is not, however, recognized as an effective agent for removing heavy metals from wastewater. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Accumulation of cadmium by plants of Zawar Mines, Rajasthan, India

Several plants of the Zawar Zinc Deposits of Rajasthan (India) accumulate very high levels of cadmium. The maximum concentration namely 420 micrograms g-1 was found in the stems of Crotalaria linifolia. Some other cadmium accumulators with the concentration of the metal in microgram g-1 are Impatients balsamina (380), Dyerophytum indicum (282) and Melhania futteyporensis (245). The sequence of cadmium accumulation in different organs of the same plant species was roots greater than stems greater than leaves. Cadmium levels in the leaves of Celosia argentea, Crotalaria linifolia, Impatiens balsamina and Triumfetta pentandra showed a significant (linear) plant-soil relationship. The respective biological absorption coefficients (BAC - concentration of the element in the plant divided by concentration of the same element in the substrate) for these plants were 2.74, 4.13, 5.49 and 4.65.     

Interspecific differences in metal bioaccumulation and plant-water concentration ratios in five aquatic bryophytes

We studied the capacity of five species of aquatic bryophyte to accumulate metals, and the relationship between plant metal content and water composition, on the basis of 170 samples taken from 32 rivers in Galicia (NW Spain). In all cases, only the final two centimetres of the apex were analysed. Scapania undulata was the species with the highest accumulatory capacity, and Fissidens polyphyllus was that with the lowest. Fontinalis antipyretica, Rhynchostegium riparioides and Brachythecium rivulare displayed intermediate capacities for metal accumulation, but showed a broader range of variation in body concentration in comparison with similar contamination levels. This resolution capacity, together with a greater resistance to pollution and, in the study region, a wider distribution and higher abundance, suggests that the latter two species are the most useful for bioindication studies. Bioaccumulation factors were high for all metals studied, tending to increase with increasing body concentration but decreasing with increasing water concentration. The relationship between metal in plant and filtrable metal in water was low, but statistically significant for all the metals studied except Co in F. antipyretica and Cd, Pb and Co in S. undulata, F. polyphllyllus and B. rivulare. The influence of physical and chemical variables of the water on bioaccumulation was evaluated using step-wise multiple correlation analysis. Bioaccumulation is largely governed by physical and chemical factors, by the concentration of metal in the water and by the bioaccumulation factor of the bryophyte species. Sulphate concentration, pH and to a lesser extent nitrite, ammonia and FRP (filtrable reactive phosphate) appear to be the most important physical and chemical variables governing metal bioavailability.     

Uptake of Trace Metals and Rare Earth Elements from Hornblende by a Soil Bacterium

Analysis of trace elements released from hornblende between pH 6.5 and 7.5 in the presence of Arthrobacter sp. shows that Fe, Ni, V, Mn, and, to a lesser extent, Co are preferentially released into solution relative to bacteria-free experiments. This enhanced release into solution could be due to contributions from the slightly lowered pH, the presence of low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs), or the presence of a catecholate siderophore in experiments with bacteria. The best explanation for enhanced metal release is siderophore complexation at the mineral surface followed by release to solution. However,the relative rates of metal release to solution in these experiments do not strictly follow the trend predicted by the relative ordering of metal hydrolysis, which might be predicted for siderophore-promoted dissolution. For some of these metals, release to solution is fast initially in biotic experiments, but concentrations in solution reach a steady state value or decrease with time as the bacteria cell numbers increase exponentially. Lack of enhanced release to solution for some metals and decreases in release rate with time for others may be explained by uptake into bacteria. Many of the metals predicted to strongly complex with siderophore (including Al, Ti, Fe, Cu) are heavily taken up into cellular material. The relative ordering of organic ligand-element complexation may therefore partially explain the relative ordering of uptake of trace metals and rare earth elements into cell material. Fractionation of heavy rare earth elements taken up into cellular material is also very strong, and increases from Ho to Lu. Strong fractionation in uptake of some elements by bacteria may create biological signatures either in the mineral substrate or in any mineral precipitates associated with the cellular material.