Removal of U and Mo from waters by immobilized Desulfovibrio desulfuricans in column reactors

Journal Article · Mon Oct 05 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Biotechnology and Bioengineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0290(19981005)60:1<88::AID-BIT10>3.0.CO;2-4· OSTI ID:290248

Tucker, M D ^[1]; Barton, L L; Thomson, B M ^[2]

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1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
2. Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Intact cells of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans were immobilized in polyacrylamide gel and used to remove soluble U and Mo from water by enzymatically mediated reduction reactions in column reactors. Formate or lactate served as the electron donor and oxidized U(VI) and Mo(VI) species served as electron acceptors. Greater than 99% removal efficiencies were achieved for both metals with initial concentrations of 5 mg/L U and 10 mg/L Mo. Hydraulic residence times in the columns were between 24 and 36 h. Sulfate concentrations as high as 2,000 mg/L did not inhibit reduction of U or Mo in the columns. However, nitrate inhibited uranium reduction at concentrations near 50 mg/L and inhibited molybdenum reduction at concentrations near 150 mg/L. The results indicate that enzymatic reduction of U and Mo by immobilized cells of D. desulfuricans may be a practical method for removing these contaminants from solution in continuous-flow reactors.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratory
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 290248
• Journal Information: Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Journal Name: Biotechnology and Bioengineering Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 60; ISSN BIBIAU; ISSN 0006-3592
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
BIOREACTORS
DESULFOVIBRIO
IMMOBILIZED CELLS
MOLYBDENUM
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
URANIUM
WASTE WATER
WATER TREATMENT