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Anaerobic bacterial dissolution of lead oxide

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Abstract

An anaerobic bacterium (Clostridium sp.) isolated from coal waste solubilized a significant amount of lead oxide (PbO) and to a lesser extent PbSO4, but not Pb‡, PbS, and galena. The rate of Pb dissolution during logarithmic growth of the bacteria in 40 ml of medium containing 3.32 Μmoles of PbO was 0.042 Μmoles/ml/hr. Dissolution of PbO by the bacteria was due to production of organic acids and lowering of the pH of the growth medium. The solubilized metal was bioavailable to the organism as evidenced by lead associated with cell biomass as well as immobilization by a polymer-like substance produced by the organism. These results suggest that under appropriate conditions microbial dissolution of PbO could be significant in the environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Science, Brookhaven National Laboratory, 11973, Upton, New York

    A. J. Francis & C. J. Dodge

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  1. A. J. Francis
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  2. C. J. Dodge
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Francis, A.J., Dodge, C.J. Anaerobic bacterial dissolution of lead oxide. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 15, 611–616 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01054907

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01054907

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