Biosorption and bioreduction of copper from different copper compounds in aqueous solution

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2013 Jun;152(3):411-6. doi: 10.1007/s12011-013-9625-8. Epub 2013 Feb 16.

Abstract

High copper concentration is toxic for living organisms including humans. Biosorption is a bioremediation technique that can remove copper and other pollutants from aqueous medium and soils, consequently cleaning the environment. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the influence of different copper compounds (Cu(II) as CuCl2; Cu(II) as CuSO4; and Cu(I) as CuCl) on copper bioreduction and biosorption using four copper-resistant bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of two plants (Avena sativa and Plantago lanceolata) in aqueous matrix. Copper resistance profile, bioreduction, and biosorption after 48 h of incubation were evaluated. The isolates displayed high copper resistance. However, isolate A1 did not grow very well in the CuCl2 and isolate T5 was less resistant to copper in aqueous solutions amended with CuCl (Cu(I)). The best copper source for copper bioreduction and biosorption was CuSO4 and the isolates removed as much as ten times more copper than in aqueous solutions amended with the other copper compounds. Moreover, Cu(I) did not succumb to biosorption, although the microbes were resistant to aqueous solutions of CuCl. In summary, Cu(II) from CuSO4 was furthermost susceptible to bioreduction and biosorption for all isolates. This is an indication that copper contamination of the environment from the use of CuSO4 as an agrochemical is amenable to bioremediation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter / genetics
  • Acinetobacter / growth & development
  • Acinetobacter / isolation & purification
  • Adsorption
  • Avena / microbiology
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Biomass
  • Copper / isolation & purification*
  • Copper Sulfate / isolation & purification*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Environmental Pollutants / isolation & purification*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Plant Roots / microbiology
  • Plantago / microbiology
  • Pseudomonas putida / genetics
  • Pseudomonas putida / growth & development
  • Pseudomonas putida / isolation & purification
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Rhizosphere
  • Solutions
  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / genetics
  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / growth & development
  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / isolation & purification
  • Water

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • Solutions
  • Water
  • Copper
  • cuprous chloride
  • Copper Sulfate
  • cupric chloride