EPITHERMAL NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS FOR BACTERIAL TRANSFORMATIONS OF CHROMIUM

Abstract

Most powerful primary analytical technique, neutron activation analysis, was applied to study indigenous bacteria, namely, Arthrobacter genera which can be successfully used in detoxification and immobilization of toxic substances. In the present study the effect of Cr(VI) on the elemental content of these bacteria has been examined. The concentrations from 12 to 19 elements such as Na, Al, Cl, K, Fe, Co, Zn, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Sb, Ba, Tb, Th, U were determined in the bacterial cells. The high rate of Cr accumulation in the tested bacterial cells was shown. In bacteria treated with chromate some similarity in the behaviour of the following essential elements − potassium, sodium, chlorine − was observed. Such non-essential elements as Ag, As, Br and U were determined in all bacteria and have to be considered by cells as toxins.

Keywords

• neutron activation analysis
• electron spin resonance spectrometry
• Arthrobacter.