Removal of methylmercury and tributyltin (TBT) using marine microorganisms.
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.
Department of Applied Chemistry, Hanyang University, 1271 Sa 3-dong, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyunggi-do 426-791, Korea.
Seong Eon
SE
Lee
Jin Wook
JW
Chung
Ho Shik
HS
Won
Dong Sup
DS
Lee
Yong-Woo
YW
Lee
D059001:Aquatic Organisms; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010802:Phylogeny; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020614:Shewanella putrefaciens / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014220:Trialkyltin Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*
D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D014220:Trialkyltin Compounds; C011559:tributyltin