Application of Deinococcus radiodurans in the treatment of environmental pollution by heavy metals and radionuclides

Guo, Kexin; Cheng, Conghui; Chen, Luyao; Xie, Jingxi; Li, Shanshan; He, Shuya; Xiao, Fangzhu

doi:10.1007/s10967-021-08141-9

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 32 publications

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“…It is possible that a similar collective radioprotection could occur in GDF scenarios, although to date no investigation is known to have been published. The biosorbent properties of D. radiodurans are also being considered for the treatment of heavy metal and radionuclide pollution (Guo et al 2022 ), emphasising the potential role of radiation-resistant microorganisms in limiting radionuclide mobility in a GDF scenario.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extremophilic microbial metabolism and radioactive waste disposal

Butterworth,

Barton,

Lloyd

2023

Extremophiles

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Decades of nuclear activities have left a legacy of hazardous radioactive waste, which must be isolated from the biosphere for over 100,000 years. The preferred option for safe waste disposal is a deep subsurface geological disposal facility (GDF). Due to the very long geological timescales required, and the complexity of materials to be disposed of (including a wide range of nutrients and electron donors/acceptors) microbial activity will likely play a pivotal role in the safe operation of these mega-facilities. A GDF environment provides many metabolic challenges to microbes that may inhabit the facility, including high temperature, pressure, radiation, alkalinity, and salinity, depending on the specific disposal concept employed. However, as our understanding of the boundaries of life is continuously challenged and expanded by the discovery of novel extremophiles in Earth’s most inhospitable environments, it is becoming clear that microorganisms must be considered in GDF safety cases to ensure accurate predictions of long-term performance. This review explores extremophilic adaptations and how this knowledge can be applied to challenge our current assumptions on microbial activity in GDF environments. We conclude that regardless of concept, a GDF will consist of multiple extremes and it is of high importance to understand the limits of polyextremophiles under realistic environmental conditions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%