METAL SEQUESTERING BY MICROORGANISMS IN AND FROM AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS

我们建议研究将验证我们提出的假设，即微生物多磷酸盐体（PPBs）是金属隔离的主要场所。我们将使用带有扫描透射模式（STGM）的透射电子显微镜（TEM）和相关的能量色散光谱仪（EDX）技术来确定哪种细胞成分隔离的金属最多。使用STEM的光斑模式设置从不同的细胞组分获得光谱。待分析的细胞成分为被囊（鞘）细胞壁。细胞质和PPBs。我们将使用适合形状的数学公式计算每个组件的单元体积。每个电池区域的金属量将使用Princeton Gamma Tech IMIX-EDX定量确定。根据这些数据，我们将计算出每个电池区域或组件中隔离的金属量。我们建议使用(1)boryanplectonema,(2)金黄色葡萄球菌，(3)我们从废水中分离的菌株和(4)活性污泥生物质进行试验。如果我们的假设成立，我们将开发一种金属去除系统，其中含有大量PPBs的细胞被卡帕-卡拉胶或海藻酸钠包裹。好氧系统将转变为厌氧环境。该PPB应拆除，金属被释放到上级。这样可以使金属被浓缩很多倍。

We propose research will test the hypothesis where we propose that microbial polyphosphate bodies (PPBs) are the main sites of metal sequestering. We will use our technology of a transmission electron microscope (TEM) with a scanning transmission mode (STGM) and an associated energy dispersive spectrometer (EDX) to determine which cell component sequesters the most metal. Spectra obtained with the spot mode setting of the STEM from different cell components will be obtained. The cell components to be analyzed are capsule (sheath) cell wall. cytoplasm, and PPBs. We will calculate the volume of the cell each of these components has using the appropriate mathematical formula for the shape. The amount of the metal in each cell area will be determined quantitatively using the Princeton Gamma Tech IMIX-EDX. From this data we will calculate amount of metal sequestered in each cell area or component. We propose using for test organisms (1) Plectonema boryanum, (2) Staphylococcus aureus, (3) our isolates from waste water and (4) an activated sludge biomass. If our hypothesis is sustained we will develop a metal removing system where cells with large numbers of PPBs are enrobed in either kappa-carrageenan or Na-alginate. The aerobic system will be converted to an anaerobic environment. This PPB should be dismantled with the metal being released into the supernant. This should allow the metal to be concentrated many times.