Zakharov, O. V.Vasyleva, N. Yu.2018-12-272018-12-272018Modern problems of Microbiology and Biotechnology: materials of M78 young scientists international conference (Odesa, 20-23 june 2018). – Odesa : «Odesa I. I. Mecnikov National University», 2018.https://dspace.onu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/20741Heavy metals are a group of metals with density greater than 5 g/cm . They persist in nature and consequently tend to accumulate in food chains. Although relatively high levels of these elements are found in natural environment, their presence as a contaminant in ecosystems results mainly from anthropogenic activities. Some heavy metals such as nickel, iron, copper and zinc are essential to metabolic reactions and are required as trace elements by the organisms. Others like mercury, silver and cadmium have no biological role and are harmful to the organisms, even at very low concentrations.enbioaccumulationThiobacteriagenus ThiobacillusArticle