Physicochemical Mechanisms of Trace Metal Bioaccumulation by Microorganisms

Abstract

Our research group is working towards understanding the fundamental physicochemical mechanisms of trace metal biouptake by aquatic microorganisms in natural systems. Research is currently focused on identifying under what conditions uptake fluxes are limited by physical (e.g. diffusion) as opposed to biological (transfer across biological membrane) processes. In addition, the complexation of the trace metals is being examined from both a thermodynamic (stability) and kinetic (lability) perspective in order to elucidate its effect on the overall uptake flux. Up-to-date information on the group, including a current publication list can be found at http://www.unige.ch/cabe/wilkinson.

Keywords

• Bioaccumulation
• Biological limitation
• Diffusion limitation
• Microorganism
• Trace metal