Evaluation of positron emission tomography as a method to visualize subsurface microbial processes

Journal Article · Wed Jan 18 00:00:00 EST 2012 · Journal of Hazardous Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.01.037· OSTI ID:1049239

Kinsella, K; Schlyer, D; Kinsella, K; Schlyer, D J; Fowler, J S; Martinez, R J; Sobecky, P A

Positron emission tomography (PET) provides spatiotemporal monitoring in a nondestructive manner and has higher sensitivity and resolution relative to other tomographic methods. Therefore, this technology was evaluated for its application to monitor in situ subsurface bacterial activity. To date, however, it has not been used to monitor or image soil microbial processes. In this study, PET imaging was applied as a 'proof-of-principle' method to assess the feasibility of visualizing a radiotracer labeled subsurface bacterial strain (Rahnella sp. Y9602), previously isolated from uranium contaminated soils and shown to promote uranium phosphate precipitation. Soil columns packed with acid-purified simulated mineral soils were seeded with 2-deoxy-2-[{sup 18}F]fluoro-d-glucose ({sup 18}FDG) labeled Rahnella sp. Y9602. The applicability of [{sup 18}F]fluoride ion as a tracer for measuring hydraulic conductivity and {sup 18}FDG as a tracer to identify subsurface metabolically active bacteria was successful in our soil column studies. Our findings indicate that positron-emitting isotopes can be utilized for studies aimed at elucidating subsurface microbiology and geochemical processes important in contaminant remediation.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE SC OFFICE OF BIOLOGICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 1049239
• Report Number(s): BNL-98135-2012-JA; JHMAD9; R&D Project: MO-085; TRN: US1204423
• Journal Information: Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol. 213-214; ISSN 0304-3894
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
BACTERIA
EVALUATION
HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
MONITORING
MONITORS
POSITRONS
PRECIPITATION
RESOLUTION
SENSITIVITY
SOILS
STRAINS
TOMOGRAPHY
URANIUM
URANIUM PHOSPHATES
positron emission tomography (PET)
bioremediation
Rahnella sp. Y9602
subsurface