Diaz-Bone, Roland. A.; Raabe, Maren; Awißus, Simone; Keuter, Bianca; Menzel, Bernd; Küppers, Klaus; Widmann, Renatus; Hirner, Alfred:
Investigation of biomethylation of arsenic and tellurium during composting
In: Journal of Hazardous Materials, Jg. 189 (2011), Heft 3, S. 653 - 659
2011Artikel/Aufsatz in Zeitschrift
ChemieFakultät für IngenieurwissenschaftenFakultät für Chemie » Analytische Chemie
Damit verbunden: 1 Publikation(en)
Titel:
Investigation of biomethylation of arsenic and tellurium during composting
Autor*in:
Diaz-Bone, Roland. A.;Raabe, MarenUDE
LSF ID
11553
Sonstiges
der Hochschule zugeordnete*r Autor*in
;
Awißus, Simone;Keuter, Bianca;Menzel, Bernd;Küppers, Klaus;Widmann, RenatusUDE
LSF ID
48915
Sonstiges
der Hochschule zugeordnete*r Autor*in
;
Hirner, AlfredUDE
LSF ID
11333
Sonstiges
der Hochschule zugeordnete*r Autor*in
Erscheinungsjahr:
2011

Abstract:

Though the process of composting features a high microbiological activity, its potential to methylate metals and metalloids has been little investigated so far in spite of the high impact of this process on metal(loid) toxicity and mobility. Here, we studied the biotransformation of arsenic, tellurium, antimony, tin and germanium during composting. Time resolved investigation revealed a highly dynamic process during self-heated composting with markedly differing time patterns for arsenic and tellurium species. Extraordinary high concentrations of up to 150 mg kg−1 methylated arsenic species as well as conversion rates up to 50% for arsenic and 5% for tellurium were observed. In contrast, little to no conversion was observed for antimony, tin and germanium. In addition to experiments with metal(loid) salts, composting of arsenic hyperaccumulating ferns Pteris vittata and P. cretica grown on As-amended soils was studied. Arsenic accumulated in the fronds was efficiently methylated resulting in up to 8 mg kg−1 methylated arsenic species. Overall, these studies indicate that metal(loid)s can undergo intensive biomethylation during composting. Due to the high mobility of methylated species this process needs to be considered in organic waste treatment of metal(loid) contaminated waste materials.