Bacterial isolates from extreme environments and their interactions wit uranium and other xenobiotics

Interactions of the natural isolate Pseudomonas rhodesiae R5 with U(VI) and different compounds were studied by using TEM, EXAFS and wet chemistry experiments. The ability of the strain to accumulate U(VI) via bio-sorption and bio-mineralization was demonstrated. TEM analyses revealed that the U(VI) accumulates were exclusively localized on the cell wall. EXAFS analyses demonstrated that the formed U(VI) accumulates represented meta-autunite-like phases.
The strain P. rhodesiae R5 demonstrated a high capability to utilize phenol compounds as well and was used for construction of biofilms on polyethylene oxide cryogels (PEO-biogels). The latter were effectively applied for decontamination of phenol polluted waters.