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Actinide Biocolloid Formation in Brine by Halophilic Bacteria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

J. B. Gillow ,
A. J. Francis ,
C. J. Dodge ,
R. Harris ,
T. J. Beveridge ,
P. V. Brady  and
H. W. Papenguth
J. B. Gillow
Affiliation:
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, gillow@bnl.gov
A. J. Francis
Affiliation:
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, gillow@bnl.gov
C. J. Dodge
Affiliation:
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, gillow@bnl.gov
R. Harris
Affiliation:
University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario NIG 2WI, Canada
T. J. Beveridge
Affiliation:
University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario NIG 2WI, Canada
P. V. Brady
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185
H. W. Papenguth
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185
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Abstract

We examined the ability of a halophilic bacterium (WIPP 1A) isolated from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site to accumulate uranium in order to determine the potential for biocolloid facilitated actinide transport. The bacterial cell surface functional groups involved in the complexation of the actinide were determined by titration. Uranium, added as uranyl nitrate, was removed from solution at pH 5 by cells but at pH 7 and 9 very little uranium was removed due to its limited solubility. Although present as soluble species, uranyl citrate at pH 5, 7, and 9, and uranyl carbonate at pH 9 were not removed by the bacterium because they were not bioavailable due to their neutral or negative charge. Addition of uranyl EDTA to brine at pH 5, 7, and 9 resulted in the immediate precipitation of U. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis revealed that uranium was not only associated with the cell surface but also accumulated intracellularly as uranium-enriched granules. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis of the bacterial cells indicated the bulk sample contained more than one uranium phase. Nevertheless these results show the potential for the formation of actinide bearing bacterial biocolloids that are strictly regulated by the speciation and bioavailability of the actinide.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 556: Symposium QQ – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXII , 1999 , 1133
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1999

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References

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