Biopolymer removes mercury from waste waters

摘要

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have invented a new and 'greener' way to treat mercury-contaminated wastewaters produced by industries, such as chlor-alkali, paper, and cement manufacturing. Wilfred Chen and his colleagues believe that the genetically engineered biopolymer they have invented represents the first environmental use of elastin, like polypeptides ( ELPs ). Elastin is the major protein in the elastic fibers that coat the lungs and blood vessels of all vertebrates, and it is among the most hydrophobic proteins known.