Cadmium (II) distribution in complex aquatic systems containing ferrihydrite, bacteria and an organic ligand: The effect of bioactivity

► Cd2+ and ferrihydrite did not inhibit H2Lp degradation by Comamonas spp. ► In systems lacking ferrihydrite, Cd2+ sorption onto live bacteria exceeded dead bacteria for pH > 6. ► With ferrihydrite present, no difference in Cd2+ sorption to live and dead bacteria was observed. ► Cd2+ sorption to ferrihydrite and bacterial was successfully modeled by neglecting H2Lp degradation.