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Removal of Methylmercury and Tributyltin (TBT) Using Marine Microorganisms

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Abstract

Two marine species of bacteria were isolated that are capable of degrading organometallic contaminants: Pseudomonas balearica, which decomposes methylmercury; and Shewanella putrefaciens, which decomposes tributyltin. P. balearica decomposed 97% of methylmercury (20.0 μg/L) into inorganic mercury after 3 h, while S. putrefaciens decomposed 88% of tributyltin (55.3 μg Sn/L) in real wastewater after 36 h. These data indicate that the two bacteria efficiently decomposed the targeted substances and may be applied to real wastewater.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the research fund of Hanyang University (HY-2009-N).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Chemistry, Hanyang University, 1271 Sa 3-dong, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyunggi-do, 426-791, Korea

    Seong Eon Lee, Ho Shik Won & Yong-Woo Lee

  2. R&D Center, Samsung Engineering Co. Ltd., Woncheon-Dong, Youngtong-Gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-Do, 443-823, Korea

    Jin Wook Chung

  3. Department of Chemistry, Sahmyook University, 26-21 Kongnung 2-dong, Nowone-gu, Seoul, 139-742, Korea

    Dong Sup Lee

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  1. Seong Eon Lee
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  2. Jin Wook Chung
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  4. Dong Sup Lee
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  5. Yong-Woo Lee
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Correspondence to Yong-Woo Lee.

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Lee, S.E., Chung, J.W., Won, H.S. et al. Removal of Methylmercury and Tributyltin (TBT) Using Marine Microorganisms. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 88, 239–244 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-011-0501-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-011-0501-y

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