US EPA

1439021 

Journal Article 

Survey of non-viable biosorbents for toxic metal removal 

Stark, PC; Rayson, GD; Darnall, DW 

1999 

Yes 

Advances in Environmental Research
ISSN: 1093-0191
EISSN: 1093-7927 

3 

1 

WOS:000082797300006 

The ability of several biologically generated materials to
bind representative heavy metals has been investigated. These materials included freeze dried
tissues from the roots, stems, and leaves of young and mature tumble weeds (Salsola sp.), the
stems and roots of cattails (Typha latifolia), a green alga (Chlorella vulgaris), sphagnum peat,
organic peat, pecan shells, and fragments of cultured cells from Datura innoxia. Metal ions
representative of hard (Al(III)), intermediate (Cu(II)), and soft (Au(III)) Lewis acids were
monitored for their binding to each of these materials to hard, intermediate, and soft Lewis base
ligands, respectively. Each of these materials was immobilized in a polysilicate matrix. Superior
binding (>90% of a 0.1 mM contact solution) of the three metals was observed by the immobilized
C. vulgaris, D. innoxia, sphagnum peat, and organic peat at solution pH conditions of 5-6. 

metal binding; non-viable biomaterials; biosorption