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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
Published on: December 17, 2018
Issues underlying use of biosensors to measure metal bioavailability
Christopher Rensing1, Raina M Maier
1Department of Soil, Water, and Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Room 429, Shantz Boulevard # 38, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. rensingc@ag.arizona.edu
Abstract:
Heavy metal-mediated toxicity in the environment is dependent on bioavailable metal concentrations both internal and external to microbial cells. Both internal and external metal bioavailability are influenced by multiple factors in the soil environment. External factors include pH, redox potential, ionic strength, organic matter and clay content. The internal bioavailable metal concentration is dependent on both the aforementioned external factors, as well as metal uptake and efflux activities that are specific for each microorganism. The metal-specific biosensors discussed in this article can be used to measure internal metal bioavailability.
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