Reduction of U(VI) by anaerobic microorganisms within the flooding water of Königstein

The results of culture-independent methods e.g. pyrosequencing of the 16S rDNA revealed in several anaerobic bacteria. The majority were Firmicutes and Deltaproteobacteria. Several sequences of sulfate-reducing bacteria like Desolfosporosinus, Desulfitobacterium, Desulfovibrio and Desulfatirhabdium could be detected. The results of previous studies showed that sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are able to reduce uranium(VI) to uranium(IV) as well. The reduction of uranium could be used for an in situ bioremediation purpose. The experiments with the flooding water in Königstein revealed that anaerobic microorganisms which were enriched with 10 mM Glycerol are able to reduce uranium(VI) to uranium(IV).