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Enhanced U(VI) release from autunite mineral by aerobic Arthrobacter sp. in the presence of aqueous bicarbonate

Journal Article · · Chemical Geology
 [1]; ; ;
  1. Applied Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL
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The bacterial effect on U(VI) release from the autunite mineral (Ca[(UO2)(PO4)]2·3H2O) was investigated to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the important microbiological processes affecting autunite stability within subsurface bicarbonate-bearing environments. Experiments were performed in a culture of the Arthrobacter oxydans G975 strain, herein referred to as G975, a soil bacterium previously isolated from Hanford Site soil. 91 mg of autunite powder and 50 mL of phosphorous-limiting sterile media were amended with bicarbonate (ranging between 1 and 10 mM) in glass reactor bottles and inoculated with the G975 strain after the dissolution of autunite was at steady state. SEM observations indicated that G975 formed a biofilm on the autunite surface and penetrated the mineral cleavages. The mineral surface colonization by bacteria tended to increase concomitantly with bicarbonate concentrations. Additionally, a sterile cultureware with inserts was used in non-contact dissolution experiments where autunite and bacteria cells were kept separately. The data suggest that G975 bacteria is able to enhance the release of U(VI) from autunite without direct contact with the mineral. In the presence of bicarbonate, the damage to bacterial cells caused by U(VI) toxicity was reduced, yielding similar values for total organic carbon (TOC) degradation and cell density compared to U(VI)-free controls. The presence of active bacterial cells greatly enhanced the release of U(VI) from autunite in bicarbonate-amended media.
Research Organization:
Florida International Univ. (FIU), Miami, FL (United States); Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM)
DOE Contract Number:
EM0000598; AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1086698
Report Number(s):
DOE/EM0000598/FIU-ARC-2012-800000438-12c-212
Journal Information:
Chemical Geology, Journal Name: Chemical Geology Vol. 308-309; ISSN 0009-2541
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Aqueous bicarbonate
Arthrobacter sp.
Microscopy
Radionuclides
Toxicity