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Alkali Metals

Alkali Metals

Group 1 elements are soft and shiny metallic solids. They are malleable, ductile, and good conductors of heat and electricity. The melting points of the alkali metals are unusually low for metals and decrease going down the group, while the density increases going down the group with the exception of potassium (Table 1).
Table 1: Properties of the alkali metals

Ions as Acids and Bases

Ions as Acids and Bases

Salts with Acidic Ions
Salts are ionic compounds composed of cations and anions, either of which may be capable of undergoing an acid or base ionization reaction with water. Aqueous salt solutions, therefore, may be acidic, basic, or neutral, depending on the relative acid-base strengths of the salt’s constituent ions. For example, dissolving the ammonium chloride in water results in its dissociation, as described by the equation:

Strong Acid and Base Solutions

Strong Acid and Base Solutions

A strong acid is a compound that dissociates completely in an aqueous solution and produces a concentration of hydronium ions equal to the initial concentration of acid. For example, 0.20 M hydrobromic acid will dissociate completely in water and produces 0.20 M of hydronium ions and 0.20 M of bromide ions.

Bonding in Metals

Bonding in Metals

Metallic bonds are formed between two metal atoms. A simplified model to describe metallic bonding has been developed by Paul Drüde called the “Electron Sea Model”.

Common Ion Effect

Common Ion Effect

Compared with pure water, the solubility of an ionic compound is less in aqueous solutions containing a common ion (one also produced by dissolution of the ionic compound). This is an example of a phenomenon known as the common ion effect, which is a consequence of the law of mass action that may be explained using Le Châtelier’s principle. Consider the dissolution of silver iodide:

Formation of Complex Ions

Formation of Complex Ions

A type of Lewis acid-base chemistry involves the formation of a complex ion (or a coordination complex) comprising a central atom, typically a transition metal cation, surrounded by ions or molecules called ligands. These ligands can be neutral molecules like H2O or NH3, or ions such as CN− or OH−. Often, the ligands act as Lewis bases, donating a pair of electrons to the central atom. These types of Lewis acid-base reactions are examples of a broad subdiscipline called coordination...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae

Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae

Published on: July 10, 2015

Urea-Mediated Biomineralization and Adsorption of Heavy-Metal Ions in Solution by the Urease-Producing Bacteria

Qian Yang¹, Xiaoyi Li¹, Junyi Cao¹

¹College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China.

|January 28, 2026

Summary

Serratia marcescens strain C7-12 effectively removes heavy metals from contaminated water through biomineralization and adsorption. This urease-producing bacterium shows significant potential for bioremediation applications in polluted soil and water environments.

Keywords:

adsorption biomineralization heavy metals urease-producing bacteria

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Area of Science:

Environmental Microbiology
Bioremediation
Biomineralization

Background:

Urease-producing bacteria (UPB) are crucial for heavy-metal bioremediation via biomineralization and adsorption.
Heavy-metal pollution poses significant environmental and health risks, necessitating effective remediation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

To isolate and identify UPB for heavy-metal removal.
To investigate the heavy-metal removal efficiency, influencing factors, and precipitation mechanisms of the isolated strain.
To assess the potential of the strain for bioremediation of contaminated soil and water.

Main Methods:

Isolation and identification of urease-producing bacteria (UPB) from heavy-metal-contaminated soil.
Determination of heavy-metal removal rates (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu) in solutions.
Analysis of influencing factors, primarily pH, on heavy-metal removal.
Investigation of precipitation modes, including biomineralization and adsorption mechanisms.

Main Results:

Isolated UPB strain C7-12 identified as *Serratia marcescens*.
Strain C7-12 achieved an 85% cadmium removal rate in a 1 mg/L Cd solution, with pH as a key factor.
Removal rates for Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu ranged from 22-65% through biomineralization (CdCO3 formation) and adsorption.
Heavy metals were removed via coprecipitation and adsorption onto bacterial surfaces involving functional groups and EPS.

Conclusions:

*Serratia marcescens* C7-12 exhibits strong biomineralization and adsorption capabilities for heavy-metal ions.
The strain effectively removes multiple heavy metals, including cadmium, lead, zinc, and copper.
This bacterium offers a promising resource for the bioremediation of heavy-metal-contaminated soil and water.