SORPTION OF SR-90 AND Y-90 BY ANACYSTIS CELLS

A study of the sorption and desorption of strontium-90 and yttrium-90 by Anacystis cells showed a concentration factor of 4 × 104 mlg-1. The uptake of both radionuclides by the cells was very rapid and a linear relationship exists between the amount of radionuclides accumulated in the cells and those in the surrounding medium. The results show that the uptake of Sr/Y by the cells is primarily by passive adsorption rather than active absorption. There was no significant difference in the sorption rate between cells incubated in the light and those left in the dark. However, both heat treatment and the addition of a respiration inhibitor reduced the sorption of radionuclides by up to 10%. The radionuclides accumulated in the cells could readily be desorbed by washing with acid. Thus, this organism can be used as a biosorbent for concentrating and removal of these two radionuclides. © 1990.