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Environ Sci Technol

Title:		Formation and emission of volatile polonium compound by microbial activity and polonium methylation with methylcobalamin
Author(s):		Momoshima N; Song LX; Osaki S; Maeda Y;
Address:		"Department of Chemistry and Physics of Condensed Matter, Graduate School of Science, and Radioisotope Center, Kyushu University, Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8581 Japan. momoenv@aster.sci.kumamoto-u.ac.jp"
Journal Title:		Environ Sci Technol
Year:		2001
Volume:		35
Issue:		14
Page Number:		2956 - 2960
DOI:		10.1021/es001730+
ISSN/ISBN:		0013-936X (Print) 0013-936X (Linking)
Abstract:		"We observed biologically mediated emission of Po from culture solution inoculated sea sediment extract and incubated under natural light/dark cycle condition or dark condition the emitted Po compound would be lipophilic because of effective collection in organic solvent. Sterilization of the culture medium with antibiotics or CuSO4 completely suppressed growth of microorganisms and resulted in no emission of Po, indicating biological activity of microorganisms is responsible for formation and emission of volatile Po compound. Po emission also occurred when seawater was used as a culture medium. Our finding indicates a possibility of biotic source for atmospheric Po in the environment, which has been believed to be originated from abiotic sources. We compared emission behavior of Po and S in the culture experiments, the elements belong to XVI group in the Periodical Table, and consider that their emission mechanisms involved would be different though the emission of both elements is supported by biological activity of microorganisms. One of the chemical forms of S emitted was confirmed to be dimethyl sulfide (DMS) but that of Po is not known. Methylation experiments of Po with methylcobalamin demonstrated a formation and emission of volatile Po compound. The methylation of Po with methylcobalamin might be related to the observed Po emission in the culture experiments"
Keywords:		Air Pollutants/analysis Environmental Monitoring Geologic Sediments/chemistry/*microbiology Methylation Polonium/*analysis Vitamin B 12/*analogs & derivatives/*analysis/chemistry Volatilization *Water Microbiology;
Notes:		"MedlineMomoshima, N Song, L X Osaki, S Maeda, Y eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2001/08/02 Environ Sci Technol. 2001 Jul 15; 35(14):2956-60. doi: 10.1021/es001730+"