No essential biological role for dysprosium is known. In the absence of Ca²⁺, Dy³⁺ restored 77% of Bacillus subtilis α-amylase activity (Smolka et al, 1971). Biosorption of Dy³⁺ by Pseudomonas aeruginosa appeared to involve two types of binding sites (Philip et al, 2000).

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Philip L, Lyengar L, Venkobachar C. Biosorption of U, La, Pr, Nd, Eu, and Dy by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Indust Microbiol. 2000; 25:1-7.