Chemical interactions during sorption of metals by microorganism cells

The role of chemical processes in the extraction from solution and binding of Au(III), Ag(I), and Cu(II) by microalgae cells of Chlorella vulgaris st. Is was studied. The sorptive ability of cells increases in the series Ag< Cu2+ much less than Au3+, whereas the bactericidal action on cells is inv erse: Au3+ much less than Cu2+ < Ag+. The possibility was demonstrated to c onvert the sorbed metals into a colloid state, fixing the formed colloid pa rticles on various intracellular organelles and on cell surface. The metals are chemically bound to cells forming bonds of the type Me-N; Me-C; Me-O; Me-S.