Chemical alkylation of lead

Heavy Metals in Natural Waters

“…The addition of Me3Pb+ salt and lead nitrate or lead chloride increases Me4Pb production; pure species of bacterial isolates, however, may not be able to methylate PbX 2 salts. Jarvie et al (1975) presented evidence for chemical alkylation oflead, denying any microbial methylation in an anaerobic sediment system. Chemical disproportionation explained the formation of Me 4 Pb.…”

Formation of tetramethyltin from trimethyltin precursors in sediment environments

“…However, it should also be noted that a number of negative results in this area have been observed, when incubation experiments have failed to give rise to methyl tin or lead products or where doubts have occurred about the experimental design or analytical methodology of experiments [13][14][15].…”

“…Several recent studies of the processes have been made and there are claims that biomethylation either may, or that it may not, occur, [4,11,14,15].…”

Uptake of trace metals by sediments and suspended particulates: a review

“…Topping& have recently presented data showing that inorganic mercury, also, can be methylated in the water column but they did not comment on the mechanism for this methylation process. Lead is also methylated in sediments (Wong et al 1975); however, recent evidence by Reisinger et al (1981) suggests that biological methylation of lead does not occur but that the situations where lead alkyls have been produced in the environment are probably the result of sulphide-induced chemical conversion of organic lead (VI) salts (Jarvie et al 1975).…”