title: A dynamic proof of mercury elimination from solution through a combined sorption-reduction process.
abstract: Physico-chemical factors affecting mercury elimination from solution using fern as sorbent have been analysed. It was demonstrated that interaction of mercury with this biomass follows two processes, adsorption by the functional groups in the biopolymers of the cell wall and reduction by easily oxidized compounds of the biomass. Batch experiments have been done to analyse the effect of pH, ionic strength of the media or competition with other metals. Ionic strength did not show a significant influence in the process, but mercury speciation with the formation of negatively charge complexes represented an important drawback in metal elimination. Continuous flow conditions were also analysed since many industrial applications will require them. These studies allowed distinguishing the two processes: mercury sorption was observed but also reduction of this metal occurs. Reduction to mercury (I) and metallic mercury has been confirmed by scanning electron microscopy analysis of the column filling after the continuous flow experiments.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química Física e Ingeniería Química I, Universidad de A Coruña, c/Alejandro de la Sota 1, 15008 A Coruña, Spain.
authors.forename: Leticia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carro
authors.forename: Vasilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Anagnostopoulos
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lodeiro
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Barriada
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Herrero
authors.forename: Manuel E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Sastre de Vicente
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption / Q000187:drug effects; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental / Q000187:drug effects; D002104:Cadmium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002413:Cations, Divalent / Q000494:pharmacology; D003300:Copper / Q000302:isolation & purification; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D029624:Ferns / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Q000187:drug effects; D007854:Lead / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008628:Mercury / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D054712:Salinity; D012996:Solutions; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
chemical_list: D002413:Cations, Divalent; D012996:Solutions; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D008628:Mercury