Resumen

PEREZ, Lizandra et al. Zinc and cadmium removal by bacteria: Study of factors associated to the process. Tecnol. cienc. agua [online]. 2020, vol.11, n.3, pp.309-341.  Epub 10-Jun-2024. ISSN 2007-2422.  https://doi.org/10.24850/j-tyca-2020-03-09.

The capacities of microorganisms to capture the metals present in aquatic ecosystems constitute an alternative for the conservation of natural resources. Metallic ions in aquatic ecosystems are considered important inorganic pollutants of the environment due to their mobility and toxicity to living organisms. In the present work, it was evaluated the biosorption capacities of zinc and cadmium by bacterial strains of Proteus mirabilis and Bacillus subtilis in aqueous solutions, the influence of different variables such as culture physiological age, cell concentration, pH, contact time and pre-treatment of cell biomass with physical and chemical methods. The capture of metals by bacterial cultures did not present differences in the different physiological stages evaluated. Biomass enough to reach high capture values was 2 g.L-1. Also, it was determined the greatest influence in the process lies in the pH utilized, the contact time, and effect of each treatment to bacterial biomass. The results show effectiveness of tested microbial biomasses in the biosorption of zinc and cadmium and their potential for environmental sanitation.

Palabras llave : Biosorption; microbial biomasses; zinc; cadmium; biotic and abiotic factors.