Interactions of natural occurring eukaryotic microorganisms with uranium(VI)


Interactions of natural occurring eukaryotic microorganisms with uranium(VI)

Gerber, U.; Krawczyk-Bärsch, E.; Arnold, T.; Merroun, M. L.

Despite high uranium concentrations (up to 14 mg L-1) and low pH (2.5 - 3.0) a high biodiversity was detected by culture independent methods in the flooding water of the former uranium mine Königstein (Saxony, Germany). In this study culture dependent methods were used for the isolation of eukaryotic microorganisms from the flooding water. It was possible to isolate different eukaryotic fungi with a glucose riche medium. The results of uranium immobilization tests showed high immobilization rates of about 120 to 160 mg uranium per 1 g dry mass. Flow cytometry experiments with KS5 and DSM 10134 were performed in liquid medium to quantitatively determine the uranium tolerance. In comparison, the isolate KS5 showed a higher uranium tolerance than the reference culture of DSM 10134 on solid as well as in liquid medium. In conclusion, this study indicates that eukaryotic microorganisms within a uranium-contaminated environment could potentially play an important role in the bioremediation of uranium.

Keywords: Bioremediation; Uranium; Königstein; Immobilization

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Publ.-Id: 21990