Metal Toxicity Reduction in Naphthalene Biodegradation by Use of Metal-Chelating Adsorbents

A model system comprising microbial degradation of naphthalene in the presence of cadmium has been developed to evaluate metal toxicity associated with polyaromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation and its reduction by the use of unmodified and surfactant-modified clays in comparison with a commercially available chelating resin (Chelex 100; Bio-Rad). The toxicity of cadmium associated with naphthalene biodegradation was shown to be reduced significantly by using the modified-clay complex and Chelex resin, while unmodified clay has no significant impact on this reduction. The degree of metal toxicity reduction can be quantitatively related to the metal adsorption characteristics of these adsorbents, such as adsorption capacity and selectivity.