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Concentration of 137 Cs, 65 Zn, and 85 Sr by fresh‐water algae
Author(s) -
Harvey R. S.,
Patrick Ruth
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260090402
Subject(s) - algae , green algae , radionuclide , environmental chemistry , chemistry , desorption , volume (thermodynamics) , botany , biology , adsorption , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Differences in the concentration and retention of 137 Cs by unicellular diatoms, filamentous green algae, and filamentous blue‐green algae were demonstrated under both batch and continuous‐flow culture conditions. 137 Cs concentration factors were generally higher by a factor of 2 in batch tests than in continuous flow tests. In retention studies, 137 Cs was desorbed more rapidly from algae under continuous‐flow conditions. Studies with blue‐green algae indicate that 137 Cs concentrations in the various species were more closely related to the surface‐to‐volume ratios of algal cells than to the systematic relationships of the three species. Continuous‐flow studies indicated no differences among three species of filamentous green algae in the concentration of 137 Cs, 65 Zn, and 85 Sr. However, the average concentration factors of the radionuclides were considerably different: 3800 for 65 Zn, 460 for 137 Cs, and 230 for 85 Sr. These radionuclides were rapidly desorbed following the transfer of algae to nonradioactive media. The desorption rate was inversely related to the concentration rate.