Design of U mine water bioremediation strategy through U(VI) bioreduction process: Multidisciplinary characterization


Design of U mine water bioremediation strategy through U(VI) bioreduction process: Multidisciplinary characterization

Newman-Portela, A. M.; Krawczyk-Bärsch, E.; Lopez-Fernandez, M.; Bok, F.; Kassahun, A.; Raff, J.; Merroun, M. L.

The present study describes a U(VI) bioremediation strategy of a U mine water through the stimulation of the growth of U(VI) reducing bacteria (e.g. sulfate reducing bacteria). Thus, anoxic-microcosms of mine water amended with glycerol, as electron donor, were elaborated and incubated for 3 months. The original U mine water exhibit relatively high concentration of sulfate and iron. Furthermore, 16S and ITS1 rRNA gene analyses indicated a relative abundance of natural microbial groups with U(VI)-reduction ability. After 3 months, ICP-MS and Ion-Chromatography analysis from the microcosms revealed a decrease around the 90% of U, sulfate, iron and manganese. A thermodynamical Eh-pH predominance diagram was calculated by Geochemist´s Workbench, showing the solid U ore (uraninite) after 3 months.
The results obtained revealed the U-enzymatic-reduction of U(VI) to U(IV), as uraninite, by the addition of an electron-donor in low concentrated U-contaminated-mine-waters. Thus, this strategy might be an efficient bioremediation approach for U-contaminated-mine-waters, by biostimulating their native microbial community.

Keywords: uranium; bioremediation; reduction; bacteria; 16S rRNA; ITS1 rRNA

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    10th International Symposium on Biomining (Biomining '21), 07.-09.06.2021, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-32501
Publ.-Id: 32501