Biotransformation of uranium complexed to organic ligands by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans
- Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Microbially mediated reduction of soluble hexavalent uranium to insoluble tetravalent uranium has recently been proposed as a possible mechanism for removing dissolved uranium from waste streams via precipitation (as UO{sub 2}). Such reductive precipitation has been demonstrated using anaerobic microorganisms in synthetic bicarbonate buffer solutions and in bicarbonate amended ground waters. However, the chemical composition of process wastewaters and soil decontaminated leachates containing uranium may be much more complex than those previously evaluated. For example, the presence of organic solvents used at radioactive material processing facilities and organic chelating materials used to restore uranium contaminated soils can alter uranium speciation thereby impacting bioavailability. Although researchers have addressed degradation of ligands in organic-metal complexes, little work has been done to evaluate biotransformation of metals in such complexes. Successful implementation of this novel treatment approach requires information regarding the capability of anaerobic microorganisms to initiate uranium precipitation in the presence of various organic chelating agents. The purpose of this research was to investigate the feasibility of an alternative, biologically mediated method for selective removal of dissolved uranium from a complex waste stream. In particular, the impact of organic chelating agents on uranium bioreduction and subsequent precipitation was evaluated.
- OSTI ID:
- 395324
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9505206-; TRN: 96:029044
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 50. Purdue industrial waste conference, W. Lafayette, IN (United States), 8-10 May 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the 50. industrial waste conference; Wukasch, R.F. [ed.]; PB: 861 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Reduction of uranium by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans
MICROBIAL TRANSFORMATIONS OF RADIONUCLIDES AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION THROUGH BIOREMEDIATION.