Abstract: A method of removing a heavy metal from a composition comprises: (1) providing a fibrous protein fiber; (2) agitating the fibrous protein fiber; (3) making a slurry of the agitated fibrous protein fiber; (4) contacting the agitated fibrous protein fiber slurry with a composition containing a heavy metal ion or a heavy metal ion complex; and (5) filtering a supernatant produced in step (4) to remove the heavy metal from the composition. The fibrous protein of the fibrous protein fiber can be selected from the group consisting of keratins, collagens, fibrins, and elastins. Typically, the fibrous protein of the fibrous protein fiber is a keratin.

Abstract: A method of removing both Sr and Cs from an alkaline solution having a pH between about 9 to 14 includes providing a keratin protein from essentially a fiber portion separated from a quill portion of a poultry feather. A slurry is made of the keratin protein and the alkaline solution and is treated ultrasonically. The Sr and Cs may each be present in the alkaline solution at least at about 5 ppb. The keratin protein is contacted with the Sr and Cs by mechanical agitation at a temperature between about 20 to 90° C. and at a pressure not greater than about 10 psi. A supernatant produced in the step of contacting is then filtered.

Abstract: A method of removing both Sr and Cs from an alkaline solution having a pH between about 9 to 14 includes providing a keratin protein from essentially a fiber portion separated from a quill portion of a poultry feather. A slurry is made of the keratin protein and the alkaline solution and is treated ultrasonically. The Sr and Cs may each be present in the alkaline solution at least at about 5 ppb. The keratin protein is contacted with the Sr and Cs by mechanical agitation at a temperature between about 20 to 90° C. and at a pressure not greater than about 10 psi. A supernatant produced in the step of contacting is then filtered.