Each metal concentration was tested in triplicate. Control wells contained either HgCl2 or the bacterium in the culture medium
considered. After 48 h of incubation at 30°C under shaking (180 rpm), growth was monitored by measuring the optical density at 595 nm on a Multiskan FC plate reader (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Illkirch, France) and subtracting the signals measured for the metal salts alone.