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1268777 
Journal Article 
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals by microorganisms 
Drapeau, AJ; Laurence, RA; Harbec, PS; Saint-Germain, G; Lambert, NG 
1983 
No 
Sciences et Techniques de l'Eau
ISSN: 0823-0269 
HEEP/85/00508 
16 
4 
359-363 
French 
WOS:A1983RW43600007 
HEEP COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. Ten environmentally significant microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. cepacia, Rhodotorula glutinis, Salmonella pullorum, S. typhimurium, Shigella sonnei, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Yersinia enterocolitica) were assessed as to their bioaccumulation ability towards 10 heavy metals (Be, Mg, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) under standardized laboratory conditions. The technique consisted of an energetic HNO3 digestion of the sample followed by atomic absorption metal analysis in a carbon rod equipped spectrophotometer. Certain species demonstrated a marked bioaccumulation capacity towards specific metals. Modifications of this bioaccumulation ability were induced by prior exposition of a microbial strain to a chosen metal. The environmental usefulness of the bioaccumulation process could be proven under well defined biological pollution treatment programs.