Effect of pH on the mobilization of copper and iron by pyoverdin I in artificially contaminated soils

The effect of pyoverdin I, a natural product from a Thai Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain, on the solubilization of iron and copper in two different artificially contaminated soils was investigated. The mobilized concentrations of both metals in the samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. From these results, the presence of pyoverdin I can significantly increase the amount of extractable iron and copper compared to the control. The adsorption and desorption of these metals depend not only on the environmental pH but also on the soil type, which results from differences in the quantity of the organic matter. The ability of pyoverdin I to mobilize either metal in the soils indicates its important role in connection with toxicology, as well as for soil extraction and weathering. Studying the mobilization of metals by the bacterial pyoverdin I as a function of pH may provide additional information on the chemical association of metals in soil.