Insights into the U(VI) Speciation with Bacterial Isolates from Äspö and Mont Terri

In this study we examined the impact of two microbial representatives from actually discussed potential geological formations for nuclear waste storage on the U(VI) speciation. Pseudomonas fluorescens CCUG 32456A isolated from the granitic aquifers at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden, and a novel strain of the genus Paenibacillus from clay samples of the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory, Switzerland, which we have recently isolated and been able to cultivate, were investigated. To assess the U(VI) interaction with surface functional groups of theses strains, potentiometric titration in combination with time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) were applied. Based on the stability constants of U(VI) complexes with the bacterial surface functional groups U(VI) species distributions in presence of both strains in dependence on the pH were calculated. The differences in the U(VI) speciation with both strains and the influencing factors will be discussed in detail.