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Title: Genetic Engineering of a Radiation-Resistant Bacterium for Biodegradation of Mixed Wastes--Final Report

Abstract

Aqueous mixed low level wastes (MLLW) containing radionuclides, solvents, and/or heavy metals represent a serious current and future problem for DOE environmental management and cleanup. In order to provide low-cost treatment alternatives under mild conditions for such contained wastes, we have proposed to use the radiation-resistant bacterium, Deinococcus radiodurans. This project has focused on developing D. radiodurans strains for dual purpose processes: cometabolic treatment of haloorganics and other solvents and removal of heavy metals from waste streams in an above-ground reactor system. The characteristics of effective treatment strains that must be attained are: (a) high biodegradative and metal binding activity; (b) stable treatment characteristics in the absence of selection and in the presence of physiological stress; (c) survival and activity under harsh chemical conditions, including radiation. The result of this project has been a suite of strains with high biodegradative capabilities that are candidates for pilot stage treatment systems. In addition, we have determined how to create conditions to precipitate heavy metals on the surface of the bacterium, as the first step towards creating dual-use treatment strains for contained mixed wastes of importance to the DOE. Finally, we have analyzed stress response in this bacterium, to create the foundation formore » developing treatment processes that maximize degradation while optimizing survival under high stress conditions.« less

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
University of Washington (US)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Research (ER) (US)
OSTI Identifier:
820540
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/20294-4
TRN: US0400262
DOE Contract Number:  
FG07-97ER20294
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 26 Dec 2003
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; 60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; BIODEGRADATION; GENETIC ENGINEERING; MANAGEMENT; RADIOISOTOPES; REMOVAL; SOLVENTS; STRAINS; WASTES; DEINOCOCCUS RADIODURANS; MIXED LOW LEVEL WASTES

Citation Formats

Lidstrom, Mary E. Genetic Engineering of a Radiation-Resistant Bacterium for Biodegradation of Mixed Wastes--Final Report. United States: N. p., 2003. Web. doi:10.2172/820540.
Lidstrom, Mary E. Genetic Engineering of a Radiation-Resistant Bacterium for Biodegradation of Mixed Wastes--Final Report. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/820540
Lidstrom, Mary E. 2003. "Genetic Engineering of a Radiation-Resistant Bacterium for Biodegradation of Mixed Wastes--Final Report". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/820540. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/820540.
@article{osti_820540,
title = {Genetic Engineering of a Radiation-Resistant Bacterium for Biodegradation of Mixed Wastes--Final Report},
author = {Lidstrom, Mary E},
abstractNote = {Aqueous mixed low level wastes (MLLW) containing radionuclides, solvents, and/or heavy metals represent a serious current and future problem for DOE environmental management and cleanup. In order to provide low-cost treatment alternatives under mild conditions for such contained wastes, we have proposed to use the radiation-resistant bacterium, Deinococcus radiodurans. This project has focused on developing D. radiodurans strains for dual purpose processes: cometabolic treatment of haloorganics and other solvents and removal of heavy metals from waste streams in an above-ground reactor system. The characteristics of effective treatment strains that must be attained are: (a) high biodegradative and metal binding activity; (b) stable treatment characteristics in the absence of selection and in the presence of physiological stress; (c) survival and activity under harsh chemical conditions, including radiation. The result of this project has been a suite of strains with high biodegradative capabilities that are candidates for pilot stage treatment systems. In addition, we have determined how to create conditions to precipitate heavy metals on the surface of the bacterium, as the first step towards creating dual-use treatment strains for contained mixed wastes of importance to the DOE. Finally, we have analyzed stress response in this bacterium, to create the foundation for developing treatment processes that maximize degradation while optimizing survival under high stress conditions.},
doi = {10.2172/820540},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/820540}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Dec 26 00:00:00 EST 2003},
month = {Fri Dec 26 00:00:00 EST 2003}
}