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Biological Degradation of Complex Iron Cyanides in Natural Aquatic Systems

Cherryholmes, KL
Vice President and Principal Environmental Toxicologist,Bruce A. Liesch Associates Inc.,Iowa,

Cornils, WJ
Industrial Hygienist,Marc Island Naval Shipyard,Calif,

McDonald, DB
Professor,The University of Iowa,Iowa,

Splinter, RC
Associate Director and Principal Chemist,University Hygienic Laboratory, The University of Iowa,Iowa,

Pages: 10    Published: Jan 1985

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Source: STP854-EB

Abstract

Iron cyanide complexes have been considered to be very stable when protected from light. However, it was observed in the current study that when aqueous solutions of potassium hexacyanoferrate (III) were seeded with bacteria, concentrations of free cyanide were detected within four days which were as much as 88 times greater than those observed in sterile control solutions. This is significant in terms of aquatic toxicology, since the 200 to 250 µg/L LC⁵⁰ value for free cyanide for many fish species was exceeded.

Keywords:
toxicity, hexacyanoferrate (III), bacterial degradation, iron cyanide, free cyanide

Paper ID: STP36286S
Committee/Subcommittee: E47.01
DOI: 10.1520/STP36286S
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