Regulation of bacterial abstraction of lead by cell surface charge and chemical equilibria

Micrococcus luteus cells greatly enhanced the abstraction of lead contained within pouches made of dialyzing tubing. The amount of soluble lead abstracted and subsequently interacting with the cells intertied with the concentration of negative surface charge of the cells. The chemical form of the soluble lead removed from the pouches by bacterial cells existed within the narrow limits of lead solubility through a cyclic phenomenon involving culture pH and carbonate and phosphate equilibria.The initiation of the transfer of lead by the surface charge of cells with a concomitant shift in the solubility equilibrium exerting control over the system illustrated a metal translocation system that should not be uncommon in nature.