Sponge Bacteria Encapsulates Arsenic
Published on by Marina A, Previously Key Account and Content Manager at AquaSPE AG in Academic
Researchers have found that specific bacteria protect the sponge they inhabit from arsenic.
Arsenic contaminated freshwater and arsenic removal are some of the biggest water treatment problems.
Prof. Ilan and his colleague Dr. Boaz Mayzel from Tel Aviv University found that Entotheonella bacteria which inhabits the Theonella swinhoei sponge protects it from arsenic by encapsulating and accumulating it to concentrations a million times greater than in seawater.
The bacteria accumulates not only arsenic but also barium. These elements are mineralized and transformed into inert products within the bacteria cell.
The bacteria makes the arsenic non-toxic.
Diffraction analysis established and confirmed by subfreezing cryogenic conditions that crystalline arsenic is turned to calcium arsenate.
The ability of bacteria to mineralize these toxic elements into biologically inert substances is being researched.
If the enzyme in charge of mineralization is detected, these bacteria can be used in polluted waters to control and reduce arsenic levels.
Media
Taxonomy
- Bacteria
- Arsenic
- Water Treatment Solutions
- Arsenic Mitigation
- Inorganic Chemicals
- Minerals
- water treatment