Microbial Transformations of Uranium in Wastes

Francis, A.J.; Dodge, Cleveland J.; Gillow, J. B.; Cline, J.E.

doi:10.1524/ract.1991.5253.2.311

Cited by 52 publications

(38 citation statements)

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“…The capacity of Clostridium spp., among which C. acetobutylicum, to reduce U(VI) to U(IV) has been known for almost two decades (Francis et al, 1992;Gao and Francis, 2008). Species belonging to this genus were shown to enzymatically reduce U(VI) to U(IV).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

U(VI) reduction by spores of Clostridium acetobutylicum

Vecchia

Veeramani

Suvorova

et al. 2010

Research in Microbiology

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Vegetative cells of Clostridium acetobutylicum are known to reduce hexavalent uranium (U(VI)). We investigated the ability of spores of this organism to drive the same reaction. We found that spores were able to remove U(VI) from solution when H 2 was provided as an electron donor and to form a U(IV) precipitate. We tested several environmental conditions and found that spent vegetative cell growth medium was required for the process. Electron microscopy showed the product of reduction to accumulate outside the exosporium. Our results point towards a novel U(VI) reduction mechanism, driven by spores, that is distinct from the thoroughly studied reactions in metal-reducing Proteobacteria.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

U(VI) reduction by spores of Clostridium acetobutylicum

Vecchia

Veeramani

Suvorova

et al. 2010

Research in Microbiology

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“…X-Ray near-edge structure spectroscopy showed that the sequestered U was reduced to U(IV) within 24 h. Low redox conditions were maintained by adding nutrients to the columns. Francis et al (1991) studied the reduction of U in sediment samples containing U processing waste. The sediments were amended with glucose and ammonium chloride.…”

Section: Stage 3: Reduction/transformation/biomineralizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The removal of uranium from mining waste water using algal/microbial biomass

Kalin¹,

Wheeler²,

Meinrath³

2005

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

303

134

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We describe a three step process for the removal of uranium (U) from dilute waste waters.Step one involves the sequestration of U on, in, and around aquatic plants such as algae. Cell wall ligands efficiently remove U(VI) from waste water. Growing algae continuously renew the cellular surface area.Step 2 is the removal of U-algal particulates from the water column to the sediments.Step 3 involves reducing U(VI) to U(IV) and transforming the ions into stable precipitates in the sediments. The algal cells provide organic carbon and other nutrients to heterotrophic microbial consortia to maintain the low E H , within which the U is transformed.Among the microorganisms, algae are of predominant interest for the ecological engineer because of their ability to sequester U and because some algae can live under many extreme environments, often in abundance. Algae grow in a wide spectrum of water qualities, from alkaline environments (Chara, Nitella) to acidic mine drainage waste waters (Mougeotia, Ulothrix). If they could be induced to grow in waste waters, they would provide a simple, longterm means to remove U and other radionuclides from U mining effluents. This paper reviews the literature on algal and microbial adsorption, reduction, and transformation of U in waste streams, wetlands, lakes and oceans.

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“…On the other hand, radionuclides may re-enter into the atmosphere from land and sea by wind action, sea spray and diffusion. 210 Pb, 210 Bi, 210 Po). Radon, a noble gas, escapes from the earth's surface into the atmosphere.…”

Section: Speciation Of Airborne Radionuclidesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Speciation of Radionuclides in the Environment

Gunten

Beneš

1995

Radiochimica Acta

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Methods for the determination of the speciation of radionuclides in aerosols, in aquatic solutions, in sediments, soils and rocks are reviewed. At present, most of the results about speciation are deduced from model calculations, model experiments, and separation of species (forms) of radionuclides, e.g., by sequential extraction procedures. Methods of direct determination of speciation of radionuclides (e.g., by laser induced spectroscopy) are in general not yet sensitive enough for a measurement of the very low concentrations of radionuclides in the environment. The methodological part of this paper is followed by a review of the very abundant literature about speciation of important radionuclides in the environment, i.e., in the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphère. The review does not include the biosphere. Literature up to spring 1993 is included (with a few more recent additions).

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Microbial Transformations of Uranium in Wastes

Cited by 52 publications

References 0 publications

U(VI) reduction by spores of Clostridium acetobutylicum

U(VI) reduction by spores of Clostridium acetobutylicum

The removal of uranium from mining waste water using algal/microbial biomass

Speciation of Radionuclides in the Environment

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