Microbial transformations of natural organic compounds and radionuclides in subsurface environments
A major national concern in the subsurface disposal of energy wastes is the contamination of ground and surface waters by waste leachates containing radionuclides, toxic metals, and organic compounds. Microorganisms play an important role in the transformation of organic compounds, radionuclides, and toxic metals present in the waste and affect their mobility in subsurface environments. Microbial processes involved in dissolution, mobilization, and immobilization of toxic metals under aerobic and anaerobic conditions are briefly reviewed. Metal complexing agents and several organic acids produced by microbial action affect mobilization of radionuclides and toxic metals in subsurface environments. Information on the persistence of and biodegradation rates of synthetic as well as microbiologically produced complexing agents is scarce but important in determining the mobility of metal organic complexes in subsoils. Several gaps in knowledge in the area of microbial transformation of naturally occurring organics, radionuclides, and toxic metals have been identified, and further basic research has been suggested. 31 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 6343497
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-37206; CONF-8506191-2; ON: DE86003631
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Workshop on effects of natural organic compounds and of microorganisms and radionuclide transport, Paris, France, 11 Jun 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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MICROBIAL TRANSFORMATIONS OF RADIONUCLIDES AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION THROUGH BIOREMEDIATION.
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Related Subjects
METALS
BIODEGRADATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RADIOISOTOPES
AEROBIC CONDITIONS
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
COMPLEXES
LEACHATES
MICROORGANISMS
REVIEWS
SUBSURFACE ENVIRONMENTS
TOXIC MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DISPERSIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
ISOTOPES
MATERIALS
MIXTURES
SOLUTIONS
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