Heavy Metal uptake Potentials of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Micrococcus luteus

Abstract

Uptake of heavy metals, silver and cadmium by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a Gram negative bacterium) and Micrococcus luteus (a Gram positive bacterium) was investigated in Cadmium and Silver stock solution using ion selective electrodes. Silver and cadmium uptake by the two organisms was described by Langmuir isotherms. Binding at one site type is indicated. It was observed that both organisms showed rapid uptake of metal mostly in the first minute. Uptake was complete by ten minutes. Micrococcus luteus concentrated more metal than Pseudomonas aeruginosa. M. luteus took up 200% more silver and 100% more cadmium than P. aeruginosa. We conclude that the two organisms, particularly M. Luteus have very high bioremediation potentials in heavy metals polluted environment.

Keywords: Heavy metals, Pseudomonas, Langmuir isotherms, Silver, Cadmium