Geobacillus thermoleovorans immobilized on Amberlite XAD-4 resin as a biosorbent for solid phase extraction of uranium (VI) prior to its spectrophotometric determination

Geobacillus thermoleovorans subsp stromboliensis, was immobilized on an Amberlite XAD-4 ion exchanger and used as a solid phase extractant for the preconcentration of U(VI) ions prior to their determination by UV-VIS spectrophotometry. Parameters affecting the preconcentration (such as the pH value of the sample solution, the concentration of U(VI), the volume and type of eluent, the flow rate and the effect of potentially interfering ions) were studied. The optimum pH for the sorption of U(VI) was found to be pH 5.0. 5.0 mL of 1 M hydrochloric acid were used to eluate the U(VI) from the column. The loading capacity is 11 mg g(-1). The limits of detection and quantification are 2.7 and 9.0 mu g L-1, respectively, and relative standard deviations are < 10 %. The method was applied to the determination of U(VI) in a certified reference sample (NCS ZC-73014; tea leaves) and in natural water samples.