Incorporation of Synechocystis salina in hybrid matrices. Effect of UV-B radiation on the copper and cadmium biosorption

Abstract

The isolated Antarctic cyanobacterium Synechocystis salina was embedded in silica hybrid matrices. The ability of the cyanobacterium to remove copper (about 7.6 mg.g-1 biomass) and cadmium (about 9.0 mg.g-1 biomass) was shown. UV-B treatment of cells prior to their immobilization decreased the percentage of viable cells to 4.5. At the same time it increased the copper sorption to 18.8 mg.g-1 biomass without influencing too much the sorption of cadmium (9.0-8.6 mg.g-1 biomass). The addition of carrageenan to the matrices containing viable UV-B non-irradiated cells increased the accumulation of copper and cadmium by about 2.9 and 3.9 fold, respectively. Results indicate that immobilized in hybrid matrices viable and dead Synechocystis salina cells could be used as an active copper and cadmium removing biocomponent for bioremediation of wastewaters and/or soils.