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Xu G, Li X, Liu X, Han J, Shao K, Yang H, Fan F, Zhang X, Dou J. Bibliometric insights into the evolution of uranium contamination reduction research topics: Focus on microbial reduction of uranium. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 917:170397. [PMID: 38307284 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Confronting the threat of environment uranium pollution, decades of research have yielded advanced and significant findings in uranium bioremediation, resulting in the accumulation of tremendous amount of high-quality literature. In this study, we analyzed over 10,000 uranium reduction-related papers published from 1990 to the present in the Web of Science based on bibliometrics, and revealed some critical information on knowledge structure, thematic evolution and additional attention. Methods including contribution comparison, co-occurrence and temporal evolution analysis are applied. The results of the distribution and impact analysis of authors, sources, and journals indicated that the United States is a leader in this field of research and China is on the rise. The top keywords remained stable, primarily focused on chemicals (uranium, iron, plutonium, nitrat, carbon), characters (divers, surfac, speciat), and microbiology (microbial commun, cytochrome, extracellular polymeric subst). Keywords related to new strains, reduction mechanisms and product characteristics demonstrated the strongest uptrend, while some keywords related to mechanism and performance were clearly emerging in the past 5 years. Furthermore, the evolution of the thematic progression can be categorized into three stages, commencing with the discovery of the enzymatic reduction of hexavalent uranium to tetravalent uranium, developing in the groundwater remediation process at uranium-contaminated sites, and delving into the research on microbial reduction mechanisms of uranium. For future research, enhancing the understanding of mechanisms, improving uranium removal performance, and exploring practical applications can be considered. This study provides unique insights into microbial uranium reduction research, providing valuable references for related studies in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangming Xu
- Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China
| | - Xindai Li
- Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China
| | - Xinyao Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China
| | - Juncheng Han
- Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China
| | - Kexin Shao
- Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China
| | - Haotian Yang
- Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China
| | - Fuqiang Fan
- Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai 519087, PR China.
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Analytical and Testing Center of BNU, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China
| | - Junfeng Dou
- Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China.
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Li R, Zhang L, Chen Y, Xia Q, Liu D, Huang Y, Dong H. Oxidation of Biogenic U(IV) in the Presence of Bioreduced Clay Minerals and Organic Ligands. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:1541-1550. [PMID: 38199960 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Bioreduction of soluble U(VI) to sparingly soluble U(IV) is proposed as an effective approach to remediating uranium contamination. However, the stability of biogenic U(IV) in natural environments remains unclear. We conducted U(IV) reoxidation experiments following U(VI) bioreduction in the presence of ubiquitous clay minerals and organic ligands. Bioreduced Fe-rich nontronite (rNAu-2) and Fe-poor montmorillonite (rSWy-2) enhanced U(IV) oxidation through shuttling electrons between oxygen and U(IV). Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citrate, and siderophore desferrioxamine B (DFOB) promoted U(IV) oxidation via complexation with U(IV). In the presence of both rNAu-2 and EDTA, the rate of U(IV) oxidation was between those in the presence of rNAu-2 and EDTA, due to a clay/ligand-induced change of U(IV) speciation. However, the rate of U(IV) oxidation in other combinations of reduced clay and ligands was higher than their individual ones because both promoted U(IV) oxidation. Unexpectedly, the copresence of rNAu-2/rSWy-2 and DFOB inhibited U(IV) oxidation, possibly due to (1) blockage of the electron transport pathway by DFOB, (2) inability of DFOB-complexed Fe(III) to oxidize U(IV), and (3) stability of the U(IV)-DFOB complex in the clay interlayers. These findings provide novel insights into the stability of U(IV) in the environment and have important implications for the remediation of uranium contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runjie Li
- Center for Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry Research, State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Limin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Center for Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry Research, State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Qingyin Xia
- Center for Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry Research, State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Dong Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mineralogy and Metallogeny/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mineral Physics and Materials, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Ying Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hailiang Dong
- Center for Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry Research, State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
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Malakar A, Ray C, D'Alessio M, Shields J, Adams C, Stange M, Weber KA, Snow DD. Interplay of legacy irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer inputs to spatial variability of arsenic and uranium within the deep vadose zone. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 897:165299. [PMID: 37419358 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
The vadose zone is a reservoir for geogenic and anthropogenic contaminants. Nitrogen and water infiltration can affect biogeochemical processes in this zone, ultimately affecting groundwater quality. In this large-scale field study, we evaluated the input and occurrence of water and nitrogen species in the vadose zone of a public water supply wellhead protection (WHP) area (defined by a 50-year travel time to groundwater for public supply wells) and potential transport of nitrate, ammonium, arsenic, and uranium. Thirty-two deep cores were collected and grouped by irrigation practices: pivot (n = 20), gravity (n = 4) irrigated using groundwater, and non-irrigated (n = 8) sites. Beneath pivot-irrigated sites, sediment nitrate concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) lower, while ammonium concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than under gravity sites. The spatial distribution of sediment arsenic and uranium was evaluated against estimated nitrogen and water loading beneath cropland. Irrigation practices were randomly distributed throughout the WHP area and presented a contrasting pattern of sediment arsenic and uranium occurrence. Sediment arsenic correlated with iron (r = 0.32, p < 0.05), uranium negatively correlated to sediment nitrate (r = -0.23, p < 0.05), and ammonium (r = -0.19 p < 0.05). This study reveals that irrigation water and nitrogen influx influence vadose zone geochemistry and mobilization of geogenic contaminants affecting groundwater quality beneath intensive agricultural systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arindam Malakar
- Nebraska Water Center, part of the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute and School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0844, USA.
| | - Chittaranjan Ray
- Nebraska Water Center, part of the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, 2021 Transformation Drive, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-6204, USA
| | - Matteo D'Alessio
- Nebraska Water Center, part of the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0915, USA
| | - Jordan Shields
- Nebraska Water Center, part of the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute and School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0844, USA
| | - Craig Adams
- Nebraska Water Center, part of the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute and School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0844, USA
| | - Marty Stange
- Hastings Utilities, 1228 N. Denver Avenue, Hastings, NE 68901, USA
| | - Karrie A Weber
- Nebraska Water Center, part of the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, 2021 Transformation Drive, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-6204, USA; School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA; Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Daniel D Snow
- Nebraska Water Center, part of the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute and School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0844, USA.
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Zebracki M, Marlin C, Gaillard T, Gorny J, Diez O, Durand V, Lafont C, Jardin C, Monange V. Elevated uranium concentration and low activity ratio ( 234U/ 238U) in the Œuf river as the result of groundwater-surface water interaction (Essonne river valley, South of Paris Basin, France). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 876:162537. [PMID: 36921867 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Uranium (U) is a naturally occurring radioactive heavy metal widely distributed on Earth. Noticeable elevated U concentration and low activity ratio (AR) were occasionally detected in headwater stream of the Essonne river (Seine Basin, France), the namely Œuf river. This paper aims at providing new insight on geogenic U features in headwater streams and examines the role of river-groundwater interaction. The Œuf river was sampled four times in 2020 to investigate the influence of heterogeneous geology and hydrological seasonality. The dissolved fraction of water samples was analyzed for a variety of chemical parameters (anion, major, minor and trace element concentrations, isotopes 234U and 238U). The Œuf river was shown to exhibit elevated U concentration up to 19.3 μg L-1 (exceeding by 100-fold the value of 0.19 μg L-1 known for riverine average) and low AR down to 0.41 (almost the third of the value expected in surface water, i.e., 1.17). The Œuf river got enriched in U when receiving groundwater from Beauce Limestone Aquifer System. High U concentration (above 15 μg L-1) was found in association with low AR (below 0.5) in the stream water when flowing in the outcrop zone of one BLAS unit. Taking advantage of changes in the stream flow conditions and the geochemical contrast between surface and ground waters, mixing volumes were calculated. This study first examined the potential of using U isotopes in combination with selenium as hydrogeochemical tracers of the river-groundwater continuum. In HWS, the aquifer discharge was shown to supply 12 to 59 % of the river water. This study demonstrates the key role played by the river-groundwater interaction on river water chemistry in small streams draining catchment with various geology setting. It also supports the use of combining redox sensitive trace elements to track the river-groundwater continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Zebracki
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | | | - Thierry Gaillard
- Compagnie de Prospection Géophysique Française (CPGF)-HORIZON, 77210 Avon, France
| | - Josselin Gorny
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Olivier Diez
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | | | - Charlotte Lafont
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Cyrielle Jardin
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Valérie Monange
- Compagnie de Prospection Géophysique Française (CPGF)-HORIZON, 77210 Avon, France
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Nishimura H, Kouduka M, Fukuda A, Ishimura T, Amano Y, Beppu H, Miyakawa K, Suzuki Y. Anaerobic methane-oxidizing activity in a deep underground borehole dominantly colonized by Ca. Methanoperedenaceae. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 15:197-205. [PMID: 36779262 PMCID: PMC10464669 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The family Ca. Methanoperedenaceae archaea mediates the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) in different terrestrial environments. Using a newly developed high-pressure laboratory incubation system, we investigated 214- and 249-m deep groundwater samples at Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, Japan, where the high and low abundances of Ca. Methanoperedenaceae archaea have been shown by genome-resolved metagenomics, respectively. The groundwater samples amended with 13 C-labelled methane and amorphous Fe(III) were incubated at a pressure of 1.6 MPa. After 3-7 days of incubation, the AOM rate was 45.8 ± 19.8 nM/day in 214-m groundwater. However, almost no activity was detected from 249-m groundwater. Based on the results from 16S rRNA gene analysis, the abundance of Ca. Methanoperedenaceae archaea was high in the 214-m deep groundwater sample, whereas Ca. Methanoperedenaceae archaea was undetected in the 249-m deep groundwater sample. These results support the in situ AOM activity of Ca. Methanoperedenaceae archaea in the 214-m deep subsurface borehole interval. Although the presence of Fe-bearing phyllosilicates was demonstrated in the 214-m deep groundwater, it needs to be determined whether Ca. Methanoperedenaceae archaea use the Fe-bearing phyllosilicates as in situ electron acceptors by high-pressure incubation amended with the Fe-bearing phyllosilicates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Nishimura
- Department of Earth and Planetary ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Mariko Kouduka
- Department of Earth and Planetary ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Akari Fukuda
- Department of Earth and Planetary ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Toyoho Ishimura
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental StudiesKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Yuki Amano
- Horonobe Underground Research CenterJapan Atomic Energy AgencyHoronobe‐cho, HokkaidoJapan
- Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering LaboratoriesJapan Atomic Energy AgencyIbarakiJapan
| | - Hikari Beppu
- Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering LaboratoriesJapan Atomic Energy AgencyIbarakiJapan
| | - Kazuya Miyakawa
- Horonobe Underground Research CenterJapan Atomic Energy AgencyHoronobe‐cho, HokkaidoJapan
| | - Yohey Suzuki
- Department of Earth and Planetary ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
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Sujathan S, Singh A. Investigation of Potential Drivers of Elevated Uranium Prevalence in Indian Groundwaters with a Unified Speciation Model. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:1970-1986. [PMID: 36693168 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Elevated uranium (U) (>WHO limit of 30 μg L-1) in Indian groundwaters is primarily considered geogenic, but the specific mineralogical sources and mechanisms for U mobilization are poorly understood. In this contribution, statistical and geochemical analyses of well-constrained metadata of Indian groundwater quality (n = 342 of 8543) were performed to identify key parameters and processes that influence U concentrations. For geochemical predictions, a unified speciation model was developed from a carefully compiled and updated thermodynamic database of inorganic, organic (Stockholm Humic model), and surface complexation reactions and associated constants. Critical U contamination was found at shallow depths (<100 m) within the Indo-Gangetic plain, as determined by bivariate nonparametric Kendall's Taub and probability-based association tests. Analysis of aquifer redox states, multivariate hierarchical clusters, and principal components indicated that U contamination was predominant not just in oxic but mixed (oxic-anoxic) aquifers under high Fe, Mn, and SO4 concentrations, presumably due to U release from dissolution of Fe/Mn oxides or Fe sulfides and silicate weathering. Most groundwaters were undersaturated with respect to relevant U-bearing solids despite being supersaturated with respect to atmospheric CO2 (average pCO2 of reported dissolved inorganic carbonate (DIC) data = 10-1.57 atm). Yet, dissolved U did not appear to be mass limited, as predicted solubilities from reported sediment concentrations of U were ∼3 orders of magnitude higher. Integration of surface complexation models of U on typical aquifer adsorbents, ferrihydrite, goethite, and manganese dioxide, was necessary to explain dissolved U concentrations. Uranium contamination probabilities with increasing dissolved Ca and Mn exhibited minima at equilibrium solubilities of calcite [∼50 mg L-1] and rhodochrosite [∼0.14 mg L-1], respectively, at an average groundwater pH of ∼7.5. A potential indirect control of such U-free carbonate solids on U mobilization was suggested. For locations (n = 37) where dissolved organic carbon was also reported, organic complexes of U contributed negligibly to dominant U speciation at the groundwater pH. Overall, the unified model suggested competitive dissolution-precipitation and adsorption-desorption controls on U speciation. The model provides a quantitative framework that can be extended to understand dominant mobilization mechanisms of geogenic U in aquifers worldwide after suitable modifications to the relevant aquifer parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surya Sujathan
- Department of Civil Engineering, Center for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Abhas Singh
- Department of Civil Engineering, Center for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Uranium: occurrence, distribution across India and its potential health effects. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-022-08373-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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8
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Risk of colloidal and pseudo-colloidal transport of actinides in nitrate contaminated groundwater near a radioactive waste repository after bioremediation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4557. [PMID: 35296759 PMCID: PMC8927300 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08593-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The possible role of biogeochemical processes in the transport of colloidal and pseudo-colloidal U, Np, and Pu during bioremediation of radionuclide- and nitrate-contaminated groundwater was investigated. In two laboratory experiments with water samples taken from contaminated aquifers before and post bioremediation, we found that microbial processes could cause clayed, ferruginous, and actinide colloids to coagulate. The main mechanisms are biogenic insoluble ferrous iron species formations (goethite, pyrrhotite, siderite, troilite, and ferrihydrite), the aggregation of clay particles by microbial metabolites, and the immobilization of actinides in the bacterial cells, large polymers, and iron and clayed sediments. This process decreases the risk of colloidal and pseudo-colloidal transport of actinides.
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Kazakis N, Busico G, Ntona MM, Philippou K, Kaprara E, Mitrakas M, Bannenberg M, Ioannidou A, Pashalidis I, Colombani N, Mastrocicco M, Voudouris K. The origin of Uranium in groundwater of the eastern Halkidiki region, northern Greece. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 812:152445. [PMID: 34942244 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Uranium (U) pollution in groundwater has become a serious problem worldwide. Even in low concentrations, U has both radiological and toxicological impacts on human health. In this study an integrated hydrogeological approach was applied to conceptualize an aquifer system, and determine the origin of U detected in the aquifer of the eastern Halkidiki region in northern Greece. Data from measurements of groundwater level and hydrochemical and stable isotope analyses of groundwater samples were applied to perform geochemical modeling and multivariate statistical analysis. The modeling and statistical analysis identified three hydrogeochemical groups within the studied hydro-system, and U(VI) as the dominant U species. The first group is linked to the deeper aquifer which is characterized by water-rock interactions with weathering products of granodiorite. In this group the dominant U species is uranyl phosphate and U concentration is 3.7 μg/L. The upper aquifer corresponds to the second hydrogeochemical group where U concentrations are mainly influenced by high concentrations of nitrogen species (NO3- and NO2-). Factor analysis further discriminated the upper aquifer into a saline coastal zone and an inland zone impacted by agricultural activities. The third hydrogeochemical group presents the highest concentration of U (up to 15 μg/L) in groundwater and corresponds to the internal aquifer system. The U within this system is triggered by the presence of Mn2+, while the long residence time of the groundwater contributes synergistically to the hydrogeochemical process. Manganese triggers U oxidation in parallel with Fe2+ precipitation that acts as a regulator of U concentration. Groundwater depletion of the upper aquifers promotes the up-coning of geothermal fluids from fault zones leading to increased concentrations of U in the mid-depth aquifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerantzis Kazakis
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Geology, Laboratory of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Gianluigi Busico
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Geology, Laboratory of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Maria-Margarita Ntona
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Geology, Laboratory of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Katerina Philippou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, 75, Kallipoleos Avenue, P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Efthimia Kaprara
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Chemical Engineering, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Manassis Mitrakas
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Chemical Engineering, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Matthias Bannenberg
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, 75, Kallipoleos Avenue, P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Alexandra Ioannidou
- Physics Department, Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Pashalidis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, 75, Kallipoleos Avenue, P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Nicolo Colombani
- Polytechnic University of Marche, Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Via Brecce Bianche 12, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Micol Mastrocicco
- University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Konstantinos Voudouris
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Geology, Laboratory of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
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10
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Occurrence characteristics and influencing factors of uranium and radon in deep-buried thermal storage aquifers. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-08137-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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11
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Chen WT, Chen KF, Surmpalli RY, Zhang TC, Ou JH, Kao CM. Bioremediation of trichloroethylene-polluted groundwater using emulsified castor oil for slow carbon release and acidification control. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2022; 94:e1673. [PMID: 34861087 DOI: 10.1002/wer.1673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the emulsified castor oil (ECO) substrate was developed for a long-term supplement of biodegradable carbon with pH buffering capacity to anaerobically bioremediate trichloroethylene (TCE)-polluted groundwater. The ECO was produced by mixing castor oil, surfactants (sapindales and soya lecithin [SL]), vitamin complex, and a citrate/sodium phosphate dibasic buffer system together for slow carbon release. Results of the emulsification experiments and microcosm tests indicate that ECO emulsion had uniform small droplets (diameter = 539 nm) with stable oil-in-water characteristics. ECO had a long-lasting, dispersive, negative zeta potential (-13 mv), and biodegradable properties (viscosity = 357 cp). Approximately 97% of TCE could be removed with ECO supplement after a 95-day operational period without the accumulation of TCE dechlorination byproducts (dichloroethylene and vinyl chloride). The buffer system could neutralize acidified groundwater, and citrate could be served as a primary substrate. ECO addition caused an abrupt TCE adsorption at the initial stage and the subsequent removal of adsorbed TCE. Results from the next generation sequences and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) indicate that the increased microbial communities and TCE-degrading bacterial consortia were observed after ECO addition. ECO could be used as a pH-control and carbon substrate to enhance anaerobic TCE biodegradation effectively. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Emulsified castor oil (ECO) contains castor oil, surfactants, and buffer for a slow carbon release and pH control. ECO can be a long-term carbon source for trichloroethylene (TCE) dechlorination without causing acidification. TCE removal after ECO addition is due to adsorption and reductive dechlorination mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ting Chen
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Taiwan
| | - Ku-Fan Chen
- Department of Civil Engineering, National Chi Nan University, Taiwan
| | - Rao Y Surmpalli
- Global Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, Lenexa, Kansas, USA
| | - Tian C Zhang
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Jiun-Hau Ou
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ming Kao
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Taiwan
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You W, Peng W, Tian Z, Zheng M. Uranium bioremediation with U(VI)-reducing bacteria. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 798:149107. [PMID: 34325147 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Uranium (U) pollution is an environmental hazard caused by the development of the nuclear industry. Microbial reduction of hexavalent uranium (U(VI)) to tetravalent uranium (U(IV)) reduces U solubility and mobility and has been proposed as an effective method to remediate uranium contamination. In this review, U(VI) remediation with respect to U(VI)-reducing bacteria, mechanisms, influencing factors, products, and reoxidation are systematically summarized. Reportedly, some metal- and sulfate-reducing bacteria possess excellent U(VI) reduction capability through mechanisms involving c-type cytochromes, extracellular pili, electron shuttle, or thioredoxin reduction. In situ remediation has been demonstrated as an ideal strategy for large-scale degradation of uranium contaminants than ex situ. However, U(VI) reduction efficiency can be affected by various factors, including pH, temperature, bicarbonate, electron donors, and coexisting metal ions. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the reduction products could be reoxidized when exposed to oxygen and nitrate, inevitably compromising the remediation effects, especially for non-crystalline U(IV) with weak stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo You
- Key Laboratory of Regional Energy Systems Optimization, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wanting Peng
- Key Laboratory of Regional Energy Systems Optimization, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhichao Tian
- Key Laboratory of Regional Energy Systems Optimization, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Maosheng Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Regional Energy Systems Optimization, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China.
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Babich TL, Semenova EM, Sokolova DS, Tourova TP, Bidzhieva SK, Loiko NG, Avdonin GI, Lutsenko NI, Nazina TN. Phylogenetic Diversity and Potential Activity of Bacteria and Fungi in the Deep Subsurface Horizons of an Uranium Deposit. Microbiology (Reading) 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026261721040032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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14
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Zhan Y, Yang M, Zhang Y, Yang J, Wang W, Yan L, Zhang S. Iron and total organic carbon shape the spatial distribution pattern of sediment Fe(III) reducing bacteria in a volcanic lake, NE China. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 37:155. [PMID: 34398324 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-021-03125-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Fe(III) reducing bacteria (FeRB) play a vital role in the biogeochemical cycle of Fe, C and N in nature. The volcanic lake can be considered as an ideal habitat for FeRB. Here, we investigated the diversity and spatial distribution of FeRB in sediments of Wenbo lake in Wudalianchi volcano based on culture-dependent and independent methods. A total of 28 isolates affiliated with the genera of Enterobacter, Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Clostridium were obtained from 18 sediment samples. We detected 783 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonged to FeRB using high high-throughput sequencing, and the dominant phyla were Proteobacteria (3.65%), Acidobacteria (0.29%), Firmicutes (10.78%). The representative FeRB genera such as Geobacter, Pseudomonas, Thiobacillus and Acinetobacter distributed widely in Wenbo lake. Results showed that the diversity and abundance of FeRB declined along the water-flow direction from Libo to Jingbo. In contrast, the FeRB diversity decreased and the FeRB abundance increased along with depth transect of sediments. It was found that the dominant phylum changed from Firmicutes to Proteobacteria along the water-flow direction, while changed from Proteobacteria to Firmicutes along with the depth of sediments. RDA indicated that the FeRB distribution were driven by soluble total iron, total organic carbon, Fe(II) and Fe(III). These will provide information for understanding the role of FeRB in the elements geochemical cycles in the volcanic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhan
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Recycling of Argo-Waste in Cold Region, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, 163319, People's Republic of China.,Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengran Yang
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Recycling of Argo-Waste in Cold Region, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, 163319, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Recycling of Argo-Waste in Cold Region, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, 163319, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Yang
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Recycling of Argo-Waste in Cold Region, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, 163319, People's Republic of China
| | - Weidong Wang
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Recycling of Argo-Waste in Cold Region, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, 163319, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Yan
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Recycling of Argo-Waste in Cold Region, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, 163319, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Recycling of Argo-Waste in Cold Region, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, 163319, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Iron-assisted biological wastewater treatment: Synergistic effect between iron and microbes. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 44:107610. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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16
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Sánchez-Castro I, Martínez-Rodríguez P, Jroundi F, Solari PL, Descostes M, Merroun ML. High-efficient microbial immobilization of solved U(VI) by the Stenotrophomonas strain Br8. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 183:116110. [PMID: 32659540 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The environmental impact of uranium released during nuclear power production and related mining activity is an issue of great concern. Innovative environmental-friendly water remediation strategies, like those based on U biomineralization through phosphatase activity, are desirable. Here, we report the great U biomineralization potential of Stenotrophomonas sp. Br8 CECT 9810 over a wide range of physicochemical and biological conditions. Br8 cells exhibited high phosphatase activity which mediated the release of orthophosphate in the presence of glycerol-2-phosphate around pH 6.3. Mobile uranyl ions were bioprecipitated as needle-like fibrils at the cell surface and in the extracellular space, as observed by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM). Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses showed the local structure of biogenic U precipitates to be similar to that of meta-autunite. In addition to the active U phosphate biomineralization process, the cells interact with this radionuclide through passive biosorption, removing up to 373 mg of U per g of bacterial dry biomass. The high U biomineralization capacity of the studied strain was also observed under different conditions of pH, temperature, etc. Results presented in this work will help to design efficient U bioremediation strategies for real polluted waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Sánchez-Castro
- Department of Microbiology, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain.
| | - Pablo Martínez-Rodríguez
- Department of Microbiology, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Fadwa Jroundi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Pier Lorenzo Solari
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, MARS beamline, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin BP 48, 91192, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | | | - Mohamed Larbi Merroun
- Department of Microbiology, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
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Asta MP, Beller HR, O'Day PA. Anaerobic Dissolution Rates of U(IV)-Oxide by Abiotic and Nitrate-Dependent Bacterial Pathways. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:8010-8021. [PMID: 32469205 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c01019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The long-term stability of U(IV) solid phases in anaerobic aquifers depends upon their reactivity in the presence of oxidizing chemical species and microbial catalysts. We performed flow-through column experiments under anaerobic conditions to investigate the mechanisms and dissolution rates of biogenic, noncrystalline UO2(s) by chemical oxidants (nitrate and/or nitrite) or by Thiobacillus denitrificans, a widespread, denitrifying, chemolithoautotrophic model bacterium. Dissolution rates of UO2(s) with dissolved nitrite were approximately 5 to 10 times greater than with nitrate alone. In the presence of wild-type T. denitrificans and nitrate, UO2(s) dissolution rates were similar to those of abiotic experiments with nitrite (from 1.15 × 10-14 to 4.94 × 10-13 mol m-2 s-1). Experiments with a T. dentrificans mutant strain defective in U(IV) oxidation supported microbially mediated U(IV) oxidation. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analysis of post-reaction solids showed the presence of mononuclear U(VI) species rather than a solid U(VI) phase. At steady-state U release, kinetic and spectroscopic results suggest detachment of oxidized U(VI) from the UO2(s) surface as the rate-determining step rather than electron transfer or ion diffusion. Under anaerobic conditions, production of nitrite by nitrate-reducing microorganisms and enzymatically catalyzed, nitrate-dependent U(IV) oxidation are likely dual processes by which reduced U solids may be oxidized and mobilized in the aqueous phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria P Asta
- Sierra Nevada Research Institute, University of California Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, California 95343, United States
| | - Harry R Beller
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Peggy A O'Day
- Sierra Nevada Research Institute, University of California Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, California 95343, United States
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, California 95343, United States
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18
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Zeng T, Mo G, Hu Q, Wang G, Liao W, Xie S. Microbial characteristic and bacterial community assessment of sediment sludge upon uranium exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 261:114176. [PMID: 32088436 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The microbial characteristics and bacterial communities of sediment sludge upon different concentrations of exposure to uranium were investigated by high solution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and high-throughput sequencing. After exposure to initial uranium concentrations of 10-50 μM for 24 h in synthetic wastewater, the removal efficiencies of uranium reached 80.7%-96.5%. The spherical and short rod bacteria were dominant in the sludge exposed to uranium. HRTEM-EDS and XPS analyses indicated that reduction and adsorption were the main mechanisms for uranium removal. Short-term exposure to low concentrations of uranium resulted in a decrease in bacterial richness but an increase in diversity. A dramatic change in the composition and abundances of the bacterial community were present in the sediment sludge exposed to uranium. The highest removal efficiency was identified in the sediment sludge exposed to 30 μM uranium, and the dominant bacteria included Acinetobacter (44.9%), Klebsiella (20.0%), Proteiniclasticum (6.7%), Enterobacteriaceae (6.6%), Desulfovibrio (4.4%), Porphyromonadaceae (4.1%), Comamonas (2.4%) and Sedimentibacter (2.3%). By comparison to the inoculum sediment sludge, exposure to uranium caused a substantial difference in the majority of bacterial abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taotao Zeng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse Technology, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China.
| | - Guanhai Mo
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse Technology, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Qing Hu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse Technology, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Guohua Wang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse Technology, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Wei Liao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse Technology, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Shuibo Xie
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse Technology, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China; Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defence for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
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19
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Ultramicrobacteria from Nitrate- and Radionuclide-Contaminated Groundwater. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12031239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The goal of the present work was to investigate the physicochemical and radiochemical conditions and the microbial diversity in groundwater collected near the Lake Karachai (Russia), which was formerly used for the disposal of liquid radioactive waste, to isolate the dominant bacteria, and to determine their taxonomy and the physiological characteristics responsible for their adaptation to this environment. Groundwater samples contained high concentrations of acetate, oxalate, nitrate, and sulfate, as well as radionuclides. High-throughput sequencing and analysis of the clone libraries revealed lower microbial diversity in the most strongly contaminated groundwater and a predominance of bacteria of the genera Polynucleobacter, Pusillimonas, Candidatus Pelagibacter, and of the candidate phylum Parcubacteria; these groups include species with an ultra small cell size. Archaeal sequences in the libraries belonged to ammonium oxidizers of the phylum Thaumarchaeota and methanogens of the phylum Euryarchaeota. Pure cultures of obligate and facultative ultramicrobacteria belonging to the genera Chryseobacterium, Microbacterium, Salinibacterium, Pusillimonas, Roseomonas, and Janibacter were isolated from water samples. In genomes of Pusillimonas and Roseomonas strains the genes associated with nitrate reduction, resistance to heavy metals and metalloids were revealed. Several isolates are able to participate in the geochemical process of nitrate conversion to N2 using acetate; this results in decreasing redox potential, which in turn may stimulate radionuclide reduction and decrease radionuclide migration in groundwater.
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20
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Bonotto DM, Wijesiri B, Goonetilleke A. Nitrate-dependent Uranium mobilisation in groundwater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 693:133655. [PMID: 31635015 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate is a critical substance that determines the prevailing redox conditions in groundwater, and in turn the behaviour of Uranium (U). Therefore, the excessive use of nitrate-fertiliser in agricultural catchments could exert a significant influence on U mobilisation. This is a significant issue in catchments, where groundwater resources are increasingly being exploited for drinking water production. Past studies on U mobility in groundwater have considered individual hydro-geochemical factors influencing U concentrations, rather than as a single system with multiple factors. This research study investigated nitrate-dependent U mobility within a catchment in Brazil, where a range of intensive agricultural activities are undertaken and the giant Guarani aquifer is located. The study used direct measurements of groundwater redox conditions and other hydro-geochemical parameters. The research outcomes indicated that U could have two hydro-geochemical systems based on positive and negative redox potential of groundwater. The pH, HCO3- and temperature pose the largest influence, respectively, on U mobilisation, and these impacts are greater in agricultural lands than urban areas. Acidic and less reducing (positive redox) groundwater across the aquifer and basic and highly reducing (negative redox) groundwater in agricultural areas make U more mobile. The alkalinity increases U mobility in less reducing groundwater across the aquifer and in highly reducing groundwater in agricultural areas. Further, U can be mobile in hot and less reducing groundwater across the aquifer, but hot and highly reducing groundwater in agricultural areas can limit U mobility. More importantly, the study revealed that U can be mobile under high NO3- concentrations in reducing groundwater in non-agricultural areas. However, anthropogenic inputs of NO3- are expected to be lower than natural NO3- inputs in areas where the groundwater is highly reducing. Hence, fertiliser use in agricultural lands is less likely to increase U mobility in highly reducing groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Marcos Bonotto
- Departamento de Petrologia e Metalogenia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Câmpus de Rio Claro, Av. 24-ANo.1515, C.P. 178, CEP 13506-900 Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Buddhi Wijesiri
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, Qld 4001, Australia.
| | - Ashantha Goonetilleke
- Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, Qld 4001, Australia.
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21
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Li PS, Wu WM, Phillips DH, Watson DB, Kelly S, Li B, Mehlhorn T, Lowe K, Earles J, Tao HC, Zhang T, Criddle CS. Uranium sequestration in sediment at an iron-rich contaminated site at Oak Ridge, Tennessee via. bioreduction followed by reoxidation. J Environ Sci (China) 2019; 85:156-167. [PMID: 31471022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2019.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated uranium sequestration performance in iron-rich (30 g/kg) sediment via bioreduction followed by reoxidation. Field tests (1383 days) at Oak Ridge, Tennessee demonstrated that uranium contents in sediments increased after bioreduced sediments were re-exposed to nitrate and oxygen in contaminated groundwater. Bioreduction of contaminated sediments (1200 mg/kg U) with ethanol in microcosm reduced aqueous U from 0.37 to 0.023 mg/L. Aliquots of the bioreduced sediment were reoxidized with O2, H2O2, and NaNO3, respectively, over 285 days, resulting in aqueous U of 0.024, 1.58 and 14.4 mg/L at pH 6.30, 6.63 and 7.62, respectively. The source- and the three reoxidized sediments showed different desorption and adsorption behaviors of U, but all fit a Freundlich model. The adsorption capacities increased sharply at pH 4.5 to 5.5, plateaued at pH 5.5 to 7.0, then decreased sharply as pH increased from 7.0 to 8.0. The O2-reoxidized sediment retained a lower desorption efficiency at pH over 6.0. The NO3--reoxidized sediment exhibited higher adsorption capacity at pH 5.5 to 6.0. The pH-dependent adsorption onto Fe(III) oxides and formation of U coated particles and precipitates resulted in U sequestration, and bioreduction followed by reoxidation can enhance the U sequestration in sediment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Song Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4020, USA; Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China; Institute of New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wei-Min Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4020, USA.
| | - Debra H Phillips
- School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5AG, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - David B Watson
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, P.O. Box 2008, TN 37831, USA
| | | | - Bing Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4020, USA; Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, P.O. Box 2008, TN 37831, USA; Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tonia Mehlhorn
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, P.O. Box 2008, TN 37831, USA
| | - Kenneth Lowe
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, P.O. Box 2008, TN 37831, USA
| | - Jennifer Earles
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, P.O. Box 2008, TN 37831, USA
| | - Hu-Chun Tao
- Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Craig S Criddle
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4020, USA.
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Babich TL, Safonov AV, Grouzdev DS, Andryuschenko ND, Zakharova EV, Nazina TN. Bacteria of the Genus Shewanella from Radionuclide-Contaminated Groundwater. Microbiology (Reading) 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026261719040039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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23
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Liang X, Zhuang J, Löffler FE, Zhang Y, DeBruyn JM, Wilhelm SW, Schaeffer SM, Radosevich M. Viral and bacterial community responses to stimulated Fe(III)-bioreduction during simulated subsurface bioremediation. Environ Microbiol 2019; 21:2043-2055. [PMID: 30773777 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The delivery of fermentable substrate(s) to subsurface environments stimulates Fe(III)-bioreduction and achieves detoxification of organic/inorganic contaminants. Although, much research has been conducted on the microbiology of such engineered systems at lab and field scales, little attention has been given to the phage-host interactions and virus community dynamics in these environments. The objective was to determine the responses of soil bacterial communities and viral assemblages to stimulated anaerobic Fe(III)-bioreduction following electron donor (e.g. acetate) addition. Microbial communities, including viral assemblages, were investigated after 60 days of Fe(III)-bioreduction in laboratory-scale columns continuously fed with acetate-amended artificial groundwater. Viral abundances were greatest in the influent section and decreased along the flow path. Acetate availability was important in influencing bacterial diversity, microbial interactions and viral abundance and community composition. The impact of acetate addition was most evident in the influent section of the columns. The increased relative abundance of Fe(III)-reducing bacteria coincided with an increase in viral abundance in areas of the columns exhibiting the most Fe(III) reduction. The genetic composition of viruses in these column sections also differed from the control column and distal sections of acetate-treated columns suggesting viral communities responded to biostimulated Fe(III)-bioreduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Liang
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Jie Zhuang
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Frank E Löffler
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.,Department of Microbiology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.,Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.,Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Yingyue Zhang
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Jennifer M DeBruyn
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Steven W Wilhelm
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Sean M Schaeffer
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Mark Radosevich
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
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Safonov AV, Babich TL, Sokolova DS, Grouzdev DS, Tourova TP, Poltaraus AB, Zakharova EV, Merkel AY, Novikov AP, Nazina TN. Microbial Community and in situ Bioremediation of Groundwater by Nitrate Removal in the Zone of a Radioactive Waste Surface Repository. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1985. [PMID: 30190715 PMCID: PMC6115527 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of the present work was to investigate the physicochemical and radiochemical conditions and the composition of the microbial community in the groundwater of a suspended surface repository for radioactive waste (Russia) and to determine the possibility of in situ groundwater bioremediation by removal of nitrate ions. Groundwater in the repository area (10-m depth) had elevated concentrations of strontium, tritium, nitrate, sulfate, and bicarbonate ions. High-throughput sequencing of the V3-V4/V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene revealed the presence of members of the phyla Proteobacteria (genera Acidovorax, Simplicispira, Thermomonas, Thiobacillus, Pseudomonas, Brevundimonas, and uncultured Oxalobacteraceae), Firmicutes (genera Bacillus and Paenibacillus), and Actinobacteria (Candidatus Planktophila, Gaiella). Canonical correspondence analysis suggested that major contaminant - nitrate, uranium, and sulfate shaped the composition of groundwater microbial community. Groundwater samples contained culturable aerobic organotrophic, as well as anaerobic fermenting, iron-reducing, and denitrifying bacteria. Pure cultures of 33 bacterial strains belonging to 15 genera were isolated. Members of the genera Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Cupriavidus, Shewanella, Ensifer, and Thermomonas reduced nitrate to nitrite and/or dinitrogen. Application of specific primers revealed the nirS and nirK genes encoding nitrite reductases in bacteria of the genera Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, and Ensifer. Nitrate reduction by pure bacterial cultures resulted in decreased ambient Eh. Among the organic substrates tested, sodium acetate and milk whey were the best for stimulation of denitrification by the microcosms with groundwater microorganisms. Injection of these substrates into the subterranean horizon (single-well push-pull test) resulted in temporary removal of nitrate ions in the area of the suspended radioactive waste repository and confirmed the possibility for in situ application of this method for bioremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey V. Safonov
- Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- V.I. Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tamara L. Babich
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Diyana S. Sokolova
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Denis S. Grouzdev
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiyana P. Tourova
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey B. Poltaraus
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena V. Zakharova
- Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- V.I. Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Y. Merkel
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander P. Novikov
- V.I. Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tamara N. Nazina
- V.I. Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Bacterial Community Shift and Coexisting/Coexcluding Patterns Revealed by Network Analysis in a Uranium-Contaminated Site after Bioreduction Followed by Reoxidation. Appl Environ Microbiol 2018; 84:AEM.02885-17. [PMID: 29453264 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02885-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A site in Oak Ridge, TN, USA, has sediments that contain >3% iron oxides and is contaminated with uranium (U). The U(VI) was bioreduced to U(IV) and immobilized in situ through intermittent injections of ethanol. It then was allowed to reoxidize via the invasion of low-pH (3.6 to 4.0), high-nitrate (up to 200 mM) groundwater back into the reduced zone for 1,383 days. To examine the biogeochemical response, high-throughput sequencing and network analysis were applied to characterize bacterial population shifts, as well as cooccurrence and coexclusion patterns among microbial communities. A paired t test indicated no significant changes of α-diversity for the bioactive wells. However, both nonmetric multidimensional scaling and analysis of similarity confirmed a significant distinction in the overall composition of the bacterial communities between the bioreduced and the reoxidized sediments. The top 20 major genera accounted for >70% of the cumulative contribution to the dissimilarity in the bacterial communities before and after the groundwater invasion. Castellaniella had the largest dissimilarity contribution (17.7%). For the bioactive wells, the abundance of the U(VI)-reducing genera Geothrix, Desulfovibrio, Ferribacterium, and Geobacter decreased significantly, whereas the denitrifying Acidovorax abundance increased significantly after groundwater invasion. Additionally, seven genera, i.e., Castellaniella, Ignavibacterium, Simplicispira, Rhizomicrobium, Acidobacteria Gp1, Acidobacteria Gp14, and Acidobacteria Gp23, were significant indicators of bioactive wells in the reoxidation stage. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that nitrate, manganese, and pH affected mostly the U(VI)-reducing genera and indicator genera. Cooccurrence patterns among microbial taxa suggested the presence of taxa sharing similar ecological niches or mutualism/commensalism/synergism interactions.IMPORTANCE High-throughput sequencing technology in combination with a network analysis approach were used to investigate the stabilization of uranium and the corresponding dynamics of bacterial communities under field conditions with regard to the heterogeneity and complexity of the subsurface over the long term. The study also examined diversity and microbial community composition shift, the common genera, and indicator genera before and after long-term contaminated-groundwater invasion and the relationship between the target functional community structure and environmental factors. Additionally, deciphering cooccurrence and coexclusion patterns among microbial taxa and environmental parameters could help predict potential biotic interactions (cooperation/competition), shared physiologies, or habitat affinities, thus, improving our understanding of ecological niches occupied by certain specific species. These findings offer new insights into compositions of and associations among bacterial communities and serve as a foundation for future bioreduction implementation and monitoring efforts applied to uranium-contaminated sites.
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Riedel T, Kübeck C. Uranium in groundwater - A synopsis based on a large hydrogeochemical data set. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 129:29-38. [PMID: 29127832 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Most of the knowledge on the occurrence of Uranium (U) in groundwater comes from in-situ manipulation experiments in the field, computational modelling studies or from laboratory analyses where individual processes of U mobilization were studied in isolation. Because of Uranium's vital redox chemistry it interacts, often simultaneously, with many other element cycles (e.g., sulfur, carbon, iron, and manganese) making it difficult to predict U concentrations in natural environments. For the present study a large data set was analyzed to predict the occurrence of U in groundwater from basic hydrochemistry. The data set consists of more than 8000 chemical groundwater analyses (including Uranium concentrations) from more than 2000 sampling locations. A strong relation between U concentrations and electric conductivity as well as alkalinity was observed, suggesting that weathering of geogenic source material and desorption from mineral surfaces is the principle mechanism of U release. Except for aquifers with strongly reducing conditions this process leads to a slow but continuous accumulation of U in groundwater in most cases. Importantly, the occurrence of U is modulated by the prevailing redox conditions in an aquifer. Uranium concentrations were moderate under oxic conditions and highest under manganese and nitrate-reducing conditions (heterotrophic as wells as autotrophic nitrate reduction). Only in iron- and sulfate-reducing groundwater the probability of U concentrations above 1 μg l-1 was virtually zero, as these ground waters act as U sinks. The combination of mineral weathering (especially carbonates) with mobilization of U under manganese and nitrate reducing conditions results in the highest risk of detecting U. In contrast, a low risk is associated with low pH (<7) and low mineralization of groundwater, which is the case in granitic catchments, for example. Our results further provide evidence, that agricultural practices such as liming, use of fertilizers and irrigation influence the occurrence of U in groundwater in multiple ways. Accurate management of aquifers underlying farmland will therefore become more and more important in the future. In summary, we find that the vulnerability of an aquifer to elevated U concentrations cannot be explained by a single factor. This complicates efforts to target elevated U concentrations in groundwaters that are abstracted for drinking water production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Riedel
- IWW Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wasser Beratungs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, Moritzstraße 26, 45476 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.
| | - Christine Kübeck
- IWW Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wasser Beratungs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, Moritzstraße 26, 45476 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
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Wang W, Dudel EG. Nitrogen species coupled with transpiration enhance Fe plaque assisted aquatic uranium removal via rhizofiltration of Phragmites australis Trin ex Steud. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 181:138-146. [PMID: 29150188 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The influences of N species and transpiration on the Fe plaque (IP) formation and related aquatic U rhizofiltration had not revealed yet, especially when these factors were co-existed. It was evaluated in a mesocosm experiment in the condition of respective ammonium (NH4+)/nitrate (NO3-) cultivation of Phragmites australis Trin ex Steud. coupled with different transpiration rates (TRs). The results suggested that the enhanced transpiration of P. australis improved the aquatic U rhizofiltration in both NO3- and NH4+ rich milieus. However, the NO3- dependent oxidizing milieu restricted aquatic U uptake by the root of P. australis (up to 47.6 ± 1.8 mg kg-1 under high TR) via IP assisted rhizofiltration. The high aquatic U availability and limited IP formation in NO3- rich milieu benefited the U retention within root tissue. On the contrary, the aquatic U rhizofiltration (up to 62.1 ± 1.0 mg kg-1 under high TR) was enhanced under NH4+ dependent reductive milieu. It was mainly contributed by U retention within IP. The area related U accumulation in different N species cultured roots was enhanced but did not significantly different under higher TR condition. The result suggested that the supplied NH4+ coupled with enhanced transpiration was supposed to be more optimized option for IP assisted aquatic U rhizofiltration via P. australis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqing Wang
- Institute of Plant and Wood Chemistry, Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Strasse 19, D-01737 Tharandt, Germany.
| | - E Gert Dudel
- Institute of Plant and Wood Chemistry, Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Strasse 19, D-01737 Tharandt, Germany
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28
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Bone SE, Cahill MR, Jones ME, Fendorf S, Davis J, Williams KH, Bargar JR. Oxidative Uranium Release from Anoxic Sediments under Diffusion-Limited Conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:11039-11047. [PMID: 28876920 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b02241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Uranium (U) contamination occurs as a result of mining and ore processing; often in alluvial aquifers that contain organic-rich, reduced sediments that accumulate tetravalent U, U(IV). Uranium(IV) is sparingly soluble, but may be mobilized upon exposure to nitrate (NO3-) and oxygen (O2), which become elevated in groundwater due to seasonal fluctuations in the water table. The extent to which oxidative U mobilization can occur depends upon the transport properties of the sediments, the rate of U(IV) oxidation, and the availability of inorganic reductants and organic electron donors that consume oxidants. We investigated the processes governing U release upon exposure of reduced sediments to artificial groundwater containing O2 or NO3- under diffusion-limited conditions. Little U was mobilized during the 85-day reaction, despite rapid diffusion of groundwater within the sediments and the presence of nonuraninite U(IV) species. The production of ferrous iron and sulfide in conjunction with rapid oxidant consumption suggested that the sediments harbored large concentrations of bioavailable organic carbon that fueled anaerobic microbial respiration and stabilized U(IV). Our results suggest that seasonal influxes of O2 and NO3- may cause only localized mobilization of U without leading to export of U from the reducing sediments when ample organic carbon is present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon E Bone
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory , Menlo Park, California 94025, United States
| | | | - Morris E Jones
- Stanford University , Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Scott Fendorf
- Stanford University , Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - James Davis
- U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California 94025, United States
| | - Kenneth H Williams
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - John R Bargar
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory , Menlo Park, California 94025, United States
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29
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Banning A, Pawletko N, Röder J, Kübeck C, Wisotzky F. Ex situ groundwater treatment triggering the mobilization of geogenic uranium from aquifer sediments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 587-588:371-380. [PMID: 28237470 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Uranium (U) concentrations in groundwater extracted for drinking water usage from a Quaternary fluvial aquifer partly exceed the German drinking water guideline of 10μgL-1. Responsible sources and mobilization processes were unknown and gave rise to this study. Land use of the watershed is mainly agricultural leading to groundwater nitrate concentrations >50mgL-1 and a need for water treatment prior to utilization as drinking water. This is successfully accomplished by addition of nutrients triggering bacterial nitrate reduction, followed by the addition of NaOH for water softening and CO2 for pH adjustment, with subsequent reinfiltration into the aquifer. Three boreholes were drilled to obtain a total of 127 solid samples from Quaternary and underlying Tertiary sediments. Geochemistry and mineralogy were assessed using elemental analysis (CS, ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy to complement hydrochemical data and unravel U occurrence in the subsurface. Solid phase U fractionation was characterized by a sequential extraction procedure, U remobilization potential by a 137days column experiment. Shallow Quaternary sediments yielded low U contents <1μgg-1, higher values were found in depths of more than 20m below ground surface. Here, strata of elevated Corg and Cinorg contain up to 14μgg-1 U, mainly bound in organic and carbonate fractions. Groundwater U concentrations >10μgL-1 almost exclusively appear in this same depth range, and only in wells influenced by water treatment runoff. Results suggest that the applied water treatment approach triggers U remobilization from geogenic sources in the aquifer. The most probable mechanism is dissolution of U bearing calcite induced by CO2 application; redox reactions and pH-driven desorption appear to play a minor role in mobilization. We conclude that groundwater treatment should carefully account for unwanted hydrogeochemical side effects triggering the mobilization of geogenic trace elements such as uranium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Banning
- Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Hydrogeology Department, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Nadine Pawletko
- Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Hydrogeology Department, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Julia Röder
- Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Hydrogeology Department, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Christine Kübeck
- IWW Water Centre, Water Resources Management, Moritzstr. 26, 45476 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Frank Wisotzky
- Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Hydrogeology Department, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
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30
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Wang W, Gert Dudel E. Fe plaque-related aquatic uranium retention via rhizofiltration along a redox-state gradient in a natural Phragmites australis Trin ex Steud. wetland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:12185-12194. [PMID: 28353101 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8889-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Studies have revealed that the rhizofiltration is a feasible plant-based technology for aquatic metal/metalloid removal. However, the performance of aquatic U retention via rhizofiltration has not been fully revealed yet. In this study, a field investigation was conducted in a Phragmites australis Trin ex Steud. dominated wetland to estimate the efficiency of Fe plaque (IP)-assisted U rhizofiltration, with redox-state gradient (-179 to 220 mV) and low aquatic U level (66.7 to 92.0 μg l-1). The U concentrations were determined in soil, root, and aboveground biomass of P. australis. The IP on root surface was extracted via DCB extraction procedure. The bio-concentration factor (BCF) was applied to evaluate the aquatic U transfer capacity from root to above ground biomass of P. australis. The result suggested that root of P. australis was highly effective for aquatic U uptake via rhizofiltration (BCF 1025 to 1556). It also benefited the real U accumulation in aboveground biomass of P. australis (up to 0.4 mg m-2) and related plant-water-soil U recycling. The IP and associated microbial community in rhizosphere was effective mediator for aquatic U retention on root surface (BCF 1162 to 847). The IP-assisted aquatic U rhizofiltration was significantly promoted in relatively reductive environment. It was benefited by the enhanced root uptake of Fe due to lower oxidizers (e.g., DO and NO3-) availability. On the other hand, the competitive adsorption effect from co-existing IP-affinitive elements (e.g., As) also possibly impaired the real capacity of IP-assisted aquatic U rhizofiltration via P. australis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqing Wang
- Institute of Plant and Wood Chemistry, Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Strasse 19, D-01737, Tharandt, Germany.
| | - E Gert Dudel
- Institute of Plant and Wood Chemistry, Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Strasse 19, D-01737, Tharandt, Germany
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31
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Zhang P, He Z, Van Nostrand JD, Qin Y, Deng Y, Wu L, Tu Q, Wang J, Schadt CW, W Fields M, Hazen TC, Arkin AP, Stahl DA, Zhou J. Dynamic Succession of Groundwater Sulfate-Reducing Communities during Prolonged Reduction of Uranium in a Contaminated Aquifer. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:3609-3620. [PMID: 28300407 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b02980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
To further understand the diversity and dynamics of SRB in response to substrate amendment, we sequenced genes coding for the dissimilatory sulfite reductase (dsrA) in groundwater samples collected after an emulsified vegetable oil (EVO) amendment, which sustained U(VI)-reducing conditions for one year in a fast-flowing aquifer. EVO amendment significantly altered the composition of groundwater SRB communities. Sequences having no closely related-described species dominated (80%) the indigenous SRB communities in nonamended wells. After EVO amendment, Desulfococcus, Desulfobacterium, and Desulfovibrio, known for long-chain-fatty-acid, short-chain-fatty-acid and H2 oxidation and U(VI) reduction, became dominant accounting for 7 ± 2%, 21 ± 8%, and 55 ± 8% of the SRB communities, respectively. Succession of these SRB at different bioactivity stages based on redox substrates/products (acetate, SO4-2, U(VI), NO3-, Fe(II), and Mn(II)) was observed. Desulfovibrio and Desulfococcus dominated SRB communities at 4-31 days, whereas Desulfobacterium became dominant at 80-140 days. By the end of the experiment (day 269), the abundance of these SRB decreased but the overall diversity of groundwater SRB was still higher than non-EVO controls. Up to 62% of the SRB community changes could be explained by groundwater geochemical variables, including those redox substrates/products. A significant (P < 0.001) correlation was observed between groundwater U(VI) concentrations and Desulfovibrio abundance. Our results showed that the members of SRB and their dynamics were correlated significantly with slow EVO biodegradation, electron donor production and maintenance of U(VI)-reducing conditions in the aquifer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhang
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, and School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, University of Oklahoma , Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Zhili He
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, and School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, University of Oklahoma , Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Joy D Van Nostrand
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, and School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, University of Oklahoma , Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Yujia Qin
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, and School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, University of Oklahoma , Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Ye Deng
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, and School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, University of Oklahoma , Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100085, China
| | - Liyou Wu
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, and School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, University of Oklahoma , Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Qichao Tu
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, and School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, University of Oklahoma , Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
- Department of Marine Sciences, Ocean College, Zhejiang University , Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianjun Wang
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, and School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, University of Oklahoma , Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Christopher W Schadt
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Matthew W Fields
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University , Bozeman, Montana 59717, United States
| | - Terry C Hazen
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Adam P Arkin
- Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - David A Stahl
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98105, United States
| | - Jizhong Zhou
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, and School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, University of Oklahoma , Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, China
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32
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Hernsdorf AW, Amano Y, Miyakawa K, Ise K, Suzuki Y, Anantharaman K, Probst A, Burstein D, Thomas BC, Banfield JF. Potential for microbial H 2 and metal transformations associated with novel bacteria and archaea in deep terrestrial subsurface sediments. ISME JOURNAL 2017; 11:1915-1929. [PMID: 28350393 PMCID: PMC5520028 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2017.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Geological sequestration in deep underground repositories is the prevailing proposed route for radioactive waste disposal. After the disposal of radioactive waste in the subsurface, H2 may be produced by corrosion of steel and, ultimately, radionuclides will be exposed to the surrounding environment. To evaluate the potential for microbial activities to impact disposal systems, we explored the microbial community structure and metabolic functions of a sediment-hosted ecosystem at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, Hokkaido, Japan. Overall, we found that the ecosystem hosted organisms from diverse lineages, including many from the phyla that lack isolated representatives. The majority of organisms can metabolize H2, often via oxidative [NiFe] hydrogenases or electron-bifurcating [FeFe] hydrogenases that enable ferredoxin-based pathways, including the ion motive Rnf complex. Many organisms implicated in H2 metabolism are also predicted to catalyze carbon, nitrogen, iron and sulfur transformations. Notably, iron-based metabolism is predicted in a novel lineage of Actinobacteria and in a putative methane-oxidizing ANME-2d archaeon. We infer an ecological model that links microorganisms to sediment-derived resources and predict potential impacts of microbial activity on H2 consumption and retardation of radionuclide migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex W Hernsdorf
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Yuki Amano
- Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratories, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai, Ibaraki, Japan.,Horonobe Underground Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Horonobe, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kazuya Miyakawa
- Horonobe Underground Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Horonobe, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kotaro Ise
- Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratories, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yohey Suzuki
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - David Burstein
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Brian C Thomas
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jillian F Banfield
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, Berkeley, CA, USA
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A Highly Expressed High-Molecular-Weight S-Layer Complex of Pelosinus sp. Strain UFO1 Binds Uranium. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:AEM.03044-16. [PMID: 27913415 DOI: 10.1128/aem.03044-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell suspensions of Pelosinus sp. strain UFO1 were previously shown, using spectroscopic analysis, to sequester uranium as U(IV) complexed with carboxyl and phosphoryl group ligands on proteins. The goal of our present study was to characterize the proteins involved in uranium binding. Virtually all of the uranium in UFO1 cells was associated with a heterodimeric protein, which was termed the uranium-binding complex (UBC). The UBC was composed of two S-layer domain proteins encoded by UFO1_4202 and UFO1_4203. Samples of UBC purified from the membrane fraction contained 3.3 U atoms/heterodimer, but significant amounts of phosphate were not detected. The UBC had an estimated molecular mass by gel filtration chromatography of 15 MDa, and it was proposed to contain 150 heterodimers (UFO1_4203 and UFO1_4202) and about 500 uranium atoms. The UBC was also the dominant extracellular protein, but when purified from the growth medium, it contained only 0.3 U atoms/heterodimer. The two genes encoding the UBC were among the most highly expressed genes within the UFO1 genome, and their expressions were unchanged by the presence or absence of uranium. Therefore, the UBC appears to be constitutively expressed and is the first line of defense against uranium, including by secretion into the extracellular medium. Although S-layer proteins were previously shown to bind U(VI), here we showed that U(IV) binds to S-layer proteins, we identified the proteins involved, and we quantitated the amount of uranium bound. IMPORTANCE Widespread uranium contamination from industrial sources poses hazards to human health and to the environment. Herein, we identified a highly abundant uranium-binding complex (UBC) from Pelosinus sp. strain UFO1. The complex makes up the primary protein component of the S-layer of strain UFO1 and binds 3.3 atoms of U(IV) per heterodimer. While other bacteria have been shown to bind U(VI) on their S-layer, we demonstrate here an example of U(IV) bound by an S-layer complex. The UBC provides a potential tool for the microbiological sequestration of uranium for the cleaning of contaminated environments.
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van Berk W, Fu Y. Redox Roll-Front Mobilization of Geogenic Uranium by Nitrate Input into Aquifers: Risks for Groundwater Resources. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:337-345. [PMID: 28001365 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b01569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Redox conditions are seen as the key to controlling aqueous uranium concentrations (cU(aq)). Groundwater data collected by a state-wide groundwater quality monitoring study in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Germany) reveal peak cU(aq) up to 75 μg L-1 but low background uranium concentrations (median cU(aq) < 0.5 μg L-1). To characterize the hydrogeochemical processes causing such groundwater contamination by peak cU(aq), we reanalyzed measured redox potentials and total concentrations of aqueous uranium, nitrate, and sulfate species in groundwater together with their distribution across the aquifer depth and performed semigeneric 2D reactive mass transport modeling which is based on chemical thermodynamics. The combined interpretation of modeling results and measured data reveals that high cU(aq) and its depth-specific distribution depending on redox conditions is a result of a nitrate-triggered roll-front mobilization of geogenic uranium in the studied aquifers which are unaffected by nuclear activities. The modeling results show that groundwater recharge containing (fertilizer-derived) nitrate drives the redox shift from originally reducing toward oxidizing environments, when nitrate input has consumed the reducing capacity of the aquifers, which is present as pyrite, degradable organic carbon, and geogenic U(IV) minerals. This redox shift controls the uranium roll-front mobilization and results in high cU(aq) within the redoxcline. Moreover, the modeling results indicate that peak cU(aq) occurring at this redox front increase along with the temporal progress of such redox conversion within the aquifer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang van Berk
- Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Clausthal University of Technology , Leibnizstraße 10, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany
| | - Yunjiao Fu
- Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Clausthal University of Technology , Leibnizstraße 10, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany
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35
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Li D, Hu N, Sui Y, Ding D, Li K, Li G, Wang Y. Influence of bicarbonate on the abundance of microbial communities capable of reducing U(vi) in groundwater. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra09795f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
7 experiments amended with 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 mM initial concentrations of bicarbonate were conducted to investigate the influence of different concentrations of bicarbonate on the abundance of microbial communities capable of reducing U(vi) in groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianxin Li
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defence for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy
- University of South China
- 421001 Hengyang
- China
| | - Nan Hu
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defence for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy
- University of South China
- 421001 Hengyang
- China
| | - Yang Sui
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defence for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy
- University of South China
- 421001 Hengyang
- China
| | - Dexin Ding
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defence for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy
- University of South China
- 421001 Hengyang
- China
| | - Ke Li
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defence for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy
- University of South China
- 421001 Hengyang
- China
| | - Guangyue Li
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defence for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy
- University of South China
- 421001 Hengyang
- China
| | - Yongdong Wang
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defence for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy
- University of South China
- 421001 Hengyang
- China
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36
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Paradis CJ, Jagadamma S, Watson DB, McKay LD, Hazen TC, Park M, Istok JD. In situ mobility of uranium in the presence of nitrate following sulfate-reducing conditions. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2016; 187:55-64. [PMID: 26897652 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Reoxidation and mobilization of previously reduced and immobilized uranium by dissolved-phase oxidants poses a significant challenge for remediating uranium-contaminated groundwater. Preferential oxidation of reduced sulfur-bearing species, as opposed to reduced uranium-bearing species, has been demonstrated to limit the mobility of uranium at the laboratory scale yet field-scale investigations are lacking. In this study, the mobility of uranium in the presence of nitrate oxidant was investigated in a shallow groundwater system after establishing conditions conducive to uranium reduction and the formation of reduced sulfur-bearing species. A series of three injections of groundwater (200 L) containing U(VI) (5 μM) and amended with ethanol (40 mM) and sulfate (20 mM) were conducted in ten test wells in order to stimulate microbial-mediated reduction of uranium and the formation of reduced sulfur-bearing species. Simultaneous push-pull tests were then conducted in triplicate well clusters to investigate the mobility of U(VI) under three conditions: 1) high nitrate (120 mM), 2) high nitrate (120 mM) with ethanol (30 mM), and 3) low nitrate (2 mM) with ethanol (30 mM). Dilution-adjusted breakthrough curves of ethanol, nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, and U(VI) suggested that nitrate reduction was predominantly coupled to the oxidation of reduced-sulfur bearing species, as opposed to the reoxidation of U(IV), under all three conditions for the duration of the 36-day tests. The amount of sulfate, but not U(VI), recovered during the push-pull tests was substantially more than injected, relative to bromide tracer, under all three conditions and further suggested that reduced sulfur-bearing species were preferentially oxidized under nitrate-reducing conditions. However, some reoxidation of U(IV) was observed under nitrate-reducing conditions and in the absence of detectable nitrate and/or nitrite. This suggested that reduced sulfur-bearing species may not be fully effective at limiting the mobility of uranium in the presence of dissolved and/or solid-phase oxidants. The results of this field study confirmed those of previous laboratory studies which suggested that reoxidation of uranium under nitrate-reducing conditions can be substantially limited by preferential oxidation of reduced sulfur-bearing species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles J Paradis
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States.
| | - Sindhu Jagadamma
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States
| | - David B Watson
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States
| | - Larry D McKay
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States
| | - Terry C Hazen
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States; Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States; Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States; Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States; Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States
| | - Melora Park
- School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States
| | - Jonathan D Istok
- School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States
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Suzuki Y, Mukai H, Ishimura T, Yokoyama TD, Sakata S, Hirata T, Iwatsuki T, Mizuno T. Formation and Geological Sequestration of Uranium Nanoparticles in Deep Granitic Aquifer. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22701. [PMID: 26948389 PMCID: PMC4780221 DOI: 10.1038/srep22701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The stimulation of bacterial activities that convert hexavalent uranium, U(VI), to tetravalent uranium, U(IV), appears to be feasible for cost-effective remediation of contaminated aquifers. However, U(VI) reduction typically results in the precipitation of U(IV) particles less than 5 nanometers in diameter, except for environmental conditions enriched with iron. Because these tiny particles are mobile and susceptible to oxidative dissolution after the termination of nutrient injection, in situ bioremediation remains to be impractical. Here we show that U(IV) nanoparticles of coffinite (U(SiO4)1-x(OH)4x) formed in fracture-filling calcium carbonate in a granitic aquifer. In situ U-Pb isotope dating demonstrates that U(IV) nanoparticles have been sequestered in the calcium carbonate for at least 1 million years. As the microbiologically induced precipitation of calcium carbonate in aquifer systems worldwide is extremely common, we anticipate simultaneous stimulation of microbial activities for precipitation reactions of calcium carbonate and U(IV) nanoparticles, which leads to long-term sequestration of uranium and other radionuclides in contaminated aquifers and deep geological repositories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohey Suzuki
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroki Mukai
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Toyoho Ishimura
- National Institute of Technology, Ibaraki College, 866 Nakane, Hitachinaka-shi, Ibaraki 312-8508, Japan
| | - Takaomi D Yokoyama
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Shuhei Sakata
- Division of Earth &Planetary Sciences, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakesho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Takafumi Hirata
- Division of Earth &Planetary Sciences, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakesho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Teruki Iwatsuki
- Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), 1-64 Yamanouchi, Akeyo-cho, Mizunami, Gifu 509-6132, Japan
| | - Takashi Mizuno
- Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), 1-64 Yamanouchi, Akeyo-cho, Mizunami, Gifu 509-6132, Japan
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Guo H, Jia Y, Wanty RB, Jiang Y, Zhao W, Xiu W, Shen J, Li Y, Cao Y, Wu Y, Zhang D, Wei C, Zhang Y, Cao W, Foster A. Contrasting distributions of groundwater arsenic and uranium in the western Hetao basin, Inner Mongolia: Implication for origins and fate controls. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 541:1172-1190. [PMID: 26473717 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Although As concentrations have been investigated in shallow groundwater from the Hetao basin, China, less is known about U and As distributions in deep groundwater, which would help to better understand their origins and fate controls. Two hundred and ninety-nine groundwater samples, 122 sediment samples, and 14 rock samples were taken from the northwest portion of the Hetao basin, and analyzed for geochemical parameters. Results showed contrasting distributions of groundwater U and As, with high U and low As concentrations in the alluvial fans along the basin margins, and low U and high As concentrations downgradient in the flat plain. The probable sources of both As and U in groundwater were ultimately traced to the bedrocks in the local mountains (the Langshan Mountains). Chemical weathering of U-bearing rocks (schist, phyllite, and carbonate veins) released and mobilized U as UO2(CO3)2(2-) and UO2(CO3)3(4-) species in the alluvial fans under oxic conditions and suboxic conditions where reductions of Mn and NO3(-) were favorable (OSO), resulting in high groundwater U concentrations. Conversely, the recent weathering of As-bearing rocks (schist, phyllite, and sulfides) led to the formation of As-bearing Fe(III) (hydr)oxides in sediments, resulting in low groundwater As concentrations. Arsenic mobilization and U immobilization occurred in suboxic conditions where reduction of Fe(III) oxides was favorable and reducing conditions (SOR). Reduction of As-bearing Fe(III) (hydr)oxides, which were formed during palaeo-weathering and transported and deposited as Quaternary aquifer sediments, was believed to release As into groundwater. Reduction of U(VI) to U(IV) would lead to the formation of uraninite, and therefore remove U from groundwater. We conclude that the contrasting distributions of groundwater As and U present a challenge to ensuring safe drinking water in analogous areas, especially with high background values of U and As.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China.
| | - Yongfeng Jia
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Richard B Wanty
- U.S. Geological Survey, MS 964d Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225, USA
| | - Yuxiao Jiang
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Weiguang Zhao
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Wei Xiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Jiaxing Shen
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Yuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Yongsheng Cao
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Yang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Di Zhang
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Chao Wei
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China; The National Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100013, PR China
| | - Yilong Zhang
- Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, China Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050061 PR China
| | - Wengeng Cao
- Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, China Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050061 PR China
| | - Andrea Foster
- US Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
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Liesch T, Hinrichsen S, Goldscheider N. Uranium in groundwater--Fertilizers versus geogenic sources. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 536:981-995. [PMID: 26170113 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.05.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2015] [Revised: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Due to its radiological and toxicological properties even at low concentration levels, uranium is increasingly recognized as relevant contaminant in drinking water from aquifers. Uranium originates from different sources, including natural or geogenic, mining and industrial activities, and fertilizers in agriculture. The goal of this study was to obtain insights into the origin of uranium in groundwater while differentiating between geogenic sources and fertilizers. A literature review concerning the sources and geochemical processes affecting the occurrence and distribution of uranium in the lithosphere, pedosphere and hydrosphere provided the background for the evaluation of data on uranium in groundwater at regional scale. The state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, was selected for this study, because of its hydrogeological and land-use diversity, and for reasons of data availability. Uranium and other parameters from N=1935 groundwater monitoring sites were analyzed statistically and geospatially. Results show that (i) 1.6% of all water samples exceed the German legal limit for drinking water (10 μg/L); (ii) The range and spatial distribution of uranium and occasional peak values seem to be related to geogenic sources; (iii) There is a clear relation between agricultural land-use and low-level uranium concentrations, indicating that fertilizers generate a measurable but low background of uranium in groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Liesch
- Institute of Applied Geosciences, Division of Hydrogeology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Kaiserstr. 12, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - Sören Hinrichsen
- Institute of Applied Geosciences, Division of Hydrogeology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Kaiserstr. 12, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Nico Goldscheider
- Institute of Applied Geosciences, Division of Hydrogeology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Kaiserstr. 12, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
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40
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Bailey RT, Gates TK, Romero EC. Assessing the effectiveness of land and water management practices on nonpoint source nitrate levels in an alluvial stream-aquifer system. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2015; 179:102-115. [PMID: 26080681 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2015.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Revised: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The search for ways to allay subsurface nitrate pollution and loading to streams over broad regional landscapes is taken up using a calibrated groundwater model supported by extensive field data. Major processes of transport and chemical reaction are considered in the irrigated vadose zone and the underlying alluvial aquifer in interaction with Colorado's Lower Arkansas River and its tributaries. Simulation of a variety of best management practices reveals that there is potential to lower regional nitrate concentrations in groundwater by up to about 40% and mass loading to the river network by up to 70% over a four-decade span. Over the 27BMP scenarios considered in this study, the most effective singular measures are reduction of fertilizer application and sealing of irrigation canals, while combinations of reduced fertilizer application, reduced irrigation application, canal sealing, and enhanced riparian buffer zones are predicted to have the greatest overall impact. Intermittent fallowing of 25% of the land to lease irrigation water also is found to be promising, resulting in a forecasted decrease of about 15% in nitrate groundwater loading to streams. Due to the strong similarity between the study region and other irrigated, fertilized alluvial river valley stream-aquifer systems worldwide, results of this study are expected to be broadly applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan T Bailey
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, 1372 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1372, United States.
| | - Timothy K Gates
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, 1372 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1372, United States
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Dynamic Succession of Groundwater Functional Microbial Communities in Response to Emulsified Vegetable Oil Amendment during Sustained In Situ U(VI) Reduction. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 81:4164-72. [PMID: 25862231 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00043-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A pilot-scale field experiment demonstrated that a one-time amendment of emulsified vegetable oil (EVO) reduced groundwater U(VI) concentrations for 1 year in a fast-flowing aquifer. However, little is known about how EVO amendment stimulates the functional gene composition, structure, and dynamics of groundwater microbial communities toward prolonged U(VI) reduction. In this study, we hypothesized that EVO amendment would shift the functional gene composition and structure of groundwater microbial communities and stimulate key functional genes/groups involved in EVO biodegradation and reduction of electron acceptors in the aquifer. To test these hypotheses, groundwater microbial communities after EVO amendment were analyzed using a comprehensive functional gene microarray. Our results showed that EVO amendment stimulated sequential shifts in the functional composition and structure of groundwater microbial communities. Particularly, the relative abundance of key functional genes/groups involved in EVO biodegradation and the reduction of NO3 (-), Mn(IV), Fe(III), U(VI), and SO4 (2-) significantly increased, especially during the active U(VI) reduction period. The relative abundance for some of these key functional genes/groups remained elevated over 9 months. Montel tests suggested that the dynamics in the abundance, composition, and structure of these key functional genes/groups were significantly correlated with groundwater concentrations of acetate, NO3 (-), Mn(II), Fe(II), U(VI), and SO4 (2-). Our results suggest that EVO amendment stimulated dynamic succession of key functional microbial communities. This study improves our understanding of the composition, structure, and function changes needed for groundwater microbial communities to sustain a long-term U(VI) reduction.
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Massey MS, Lezama-Pacheco JS, Michel FM, Fendorf S. Uranium incorporation into aluminum-substituted ferrihydrite during iron(ii)-induced transformation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2014; 16:2137-2144. [PMID: 25124142 DOI: 10.1039/c4em00148f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Uranium retention processes (adsorption, precipitation, and incorporation into host minerals) exert strong controls on U mobility in the environment, and understanding U retention is therefore crucial for predicting the migration of U within surface and groundwater. Uranium can be incorporated into Fe (hydr)oxides during Fe(ii)-induced transformation of ferrihydrite to goethite. However, ferrihydrite seldom exists as a pure phase within soils or sediments, and structural impurities such as Al alter its reactivity. The presence of Al in ferrihydrite, for example, decreases the rate of transformation to goethite, and thus may impact the retention pathway, or extent of retention, of U. Here, we investigate the extent and pathways of U(vi) retention on Al-ferrihydrite during Fe(ii)-induced transformation. Ferrihydrite containing 0%, 1%, 5%, 10%, and 20% Al was reacted with 10 μM U and 300 μM Fe(ii) in the presence of 0 mM and 4 mM Ca(2+) and 3.8 mM carbonate at pH 7.0. Solid reaction products were characterized using U L3-edge EXAFS spectroscopy to differentiate between adsorbed U and U incorporated into the goethite lattice. Uranium incorporation into Al-ferrihydrite declined from ∼70% of solid-phase U at 0% and 1% Al to ∼30% of solid phase U at 20% Al content. The decrease in U incorporation with increasing Al concentration was due to two main factors: (1) decreased transformation of ferrihydrite to goethite; and, (2) a decrease of the goethite lattice with increasing Al, making the lattice less compatible with large U atoms. However, uranium incorporation can occur even with an Al-substituted ferrihydrite precursor in the presence or absence of Ca(2+). The process of U incorporation into Al-goethite may therefore be a potential long-term sink of U in subsurface environments where Al-substituted iron oxides are common, albeit at lower levels of incorporation with increasing Al content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Massey
- Department of Environmental & Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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Chung A, Sousa T, Pereira A, Morais P. Microorganisms – Tools for Bioremediation of Uranium Contaminated Environments. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.proeps.2014.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Banning A, Demmel T, Rüde TR, Wrobel M. Groundwater uranium origin and fate control in a river valley aquifer. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:13941-13948. [PMID: 24112070 DOI: 10.1021/es304609e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater in a Quaternary gravel aquifer partly exhibits uranium (U) concentrations exceeding the new German drinking water limitation (22% of the samples >10 μg L(-1)). This study assesses relevant U reservoirs and hydrogeochemical processes responsible for U transfer between them. A large data set of solid materials (sediments and soils, 164 samples total) and groundwater (114 samples total) characteristics was created in terms of geo- and hydrochemistry, mineralogy, U microdistribution, and mobilization potential. Results show that U primarily derived from lignitic inclusions in Tertiary sediments is transported to and accumulated (complexation to organic substance and UO2 precipitation) in lowland moor peats of the river valley grown on the aquifer gravels. The alkaline character of the system predefines a hydrogeochemical framework fostering U mobility. Elevated concentrations (up to 96 μg L(-1) U) occur downstream of the moor areas and under Mn/NO3-reducing groundwater conditions. Oxic and stronger reduced settings are rather little affected. Supporting previous laboratory studies, this suggests enhanced U mobility in the presence of nitrate also in the field scale. While no anthropogenic U input was detected in the study area, agricultural usage of the moor areas triggers geogenic U release via nitrate fertilization, surface peat degradation, and erosion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Banning
- Institute of Hydrogeology, RWTH Aachen University , Lochnerstraße 4-20, 52064 Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
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Miao Z, Nihat H, McMillan AL, Brusseau ML. TRANSPORT AND FATE OF AMMONIUM AND ITS IMPACT ON URANIUM AND OTHER TRACE ELEMENTS AT A FORMER URANIUM MILL TAILING SITE. APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY : JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GEOCHEMISTRY AND COSMOCHEMISTRY 2013; 38:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2013.08.002. [PMID: 24357895 PMCID: PMC3864365 DOI: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2013.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The remediation of ammonium-containing groundwater discharged from uranium mill tailing sites is a difficult problem facing the mining industry. The Monument Valley site is a former uranium mining site in the southwest US with both ammonium and nitrate contamination of groundwater. In this study, samples collected from 14 selected wells were analyzed for major cations and anions, trace elements, and isotopic composition of ammonium and nitrate. In addition, geochemical data from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) database were analyzed. Results showing oxic redox conditions and correspondence of isotopic compositions of ammonium and nitrate confirmed the natural attenuation of ammonium via nitrification. Moreover, it was observed that ammonium concentration within the plume area is closely related to concentrations of uranium and a series of other trace elements including chromium, selenium, vanadium, iron, and manganese. It is hypothesized that ammonium-nitrate transformation processes influence the disposition of the trace elements through mediation of redox potential, pH, and possibly aqueous complexation and solid-phase sorption. Despite the generally relatively low concentrations of trace elements present in groundwater, their transport and fate may be influenced by remediation of ammonium or nitrate at the site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziheng Miao
- Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona, 429 Shantz Building #38, P.O. Box 210038, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona, 429 Shantz Building #38, P.O. Box 210038, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Hakan Nihat
- Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona, 429 Shantz Building #38, P.O. Box 210038, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Geological Engineering, University of Kocaeli, Umuttepe Kampüsü, TR-41380 Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Andrew Lee McMillan
- Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona, 429 Shantz Building #38, P.O. Box 210038, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Mark L. Brusseau
- Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona, 429 Shantz Building #38, P.O. Box 210038, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona, 429 Shantz Building #38, P.O. Box 210038, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Wu WM, Watson DB, Luo J, Carley J, Mehlhorn T, Kitanidis PK, Jardine PM, Criddle CS. Surge block method for controlling well clogging and sampling sediment during bioremediation. WATER RESEARCH 2013; 47:6566-6573. [PMID: 24070865 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Revised: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 08/24/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A surge block treatment method (i.e. inserting a solid rod plunger with a flat seal that closely fits the casing interior into a well and stocking it up and down) was performed for the rehabilitation of wells clogged with biomass and for the collection of time series sediment samples during in situ bioremediation tests for U(VI) immobilization at a the U.S. Department of Energy site in Oak Ridge, TN. The clogging caused by biomass growth had been controlled by using routine surge block treatment for 18 times over a nearly four year test period. The treatment frequency was dependent of the dosage of electron donor injection and microbial community developed in the subsurface. Hydraulic tests showed that the apparent aquifer transmissivity at a clogged well with an inner diameter (ID) of 10.16 cm was increased by 8-13 times after the rehabilitation, indicating the effectiveness of the rehabilitation. Simultaneously with the rehabilitation, the surge block method was successfully used for collecting time series sediment samples composed of fine particles (clay and silt) from wells with ID 1.9-10.16 cm for the analysis of mineralogical and geochemical composition and microbial community during the same period. Our results demonstrated that the surge block method provided a cost-effective approach for both well rehabilitation and frequent solid sampling at the same location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Min Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4020, USA; Center for Sustainable Development and Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4020, USA.
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Chourey K, Nissen S, Vishnivetskaya T, Shah M, Pfiffner S, Hettich RL, Löffler FE. Environmental proteomics reveals early microbial community responses to biostimulation at a uranium- and nitrate-contaminated site. Proteomics 2013; 13:2921-30. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201300155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2013] [Revised: 06/14/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karuna Chourey
- Chemical Sciences Division; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge TN USA
| | - Silke Nissen
- Biosciences Division; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge TN USA
- Department of Microbiology; University of Tennessee; Knoxville TN USA
| | | | - Manesh Shah
- Chemical Sciences Division; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge TN USA
| | - Susan Pfiffner
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology; University of Tennessee; Knoxville TN USA
| | - Robert L. Hettich
- Chemical Sciences Division; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge TN USA
- Department of Microbiology; University of Tennessee; Knoxville TN USA
| | - Frank E. Löffler
- Biosciences Division; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge TN USA
- Department of Microbiology; University of Tennessee; Knoxville TN USA
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology; University of Tennessee; Knoxville TN USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; University of Tennessee; Knoxville TN USA
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Watson DB, Wu WM, Mehlhorn T, Tang G, Earles J, Lowe K, Gihring TM, Zhang G, Phillips J, Boyanov MI, Spalding BP, Schadt C, Kemner KM, Criddle CS, Jardine PM, Brooks SC. In situ bioremediation of uranium with emulsified vegetable oil as the electron donor. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:6440-6448. [PMID: 23697787 DOI: 10.1021/es3033555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A field test with a one-time emulsified vegetable oil (EVO) injection was conducted to assess the capacity of EVO to sustain uranium bioreduction in a high-permeability gravel layer with groundwater concentrations of (mM) U, 0.0055; Ca, 2.98; NO3(-), 0.11; HCO3(-), 5.07; and SO4(2-), 1.23. Comparison of bromide and EVO migration and distribution indicated that a majority of the injected EVO was retained in the subsurface from the injection wells to 50 m downgradient. Nitrate, uranium, and sulfate were sequentially removed from the groundwater within 1-2 weeks, accompanied by an increase in acetate, Mn, Fe, and methane concentrations. Due to the slow release and degradation of EVO with time, reducing conditions were sustained for approximately one year, and daily U discharge to a creek, located approximately 50 m from the injection wells, decreased by 80% within 100 days. Total U discharge was reduced by 50% over the one-year period. Reduction of U(VI) to U(IV) was confirmed by synchrotron analysis of recovered aquifer solids. Oxidants (e.g., dissolved oxygen, nitrate) flowing in from upgradient appeared to reoxidize and remobilize uranium after the EVO was exhausted as evidenced by a transient increase of U concentration above ambient values. Occasional (e.g., annual) EVO injection into a permeable Ca and bicarbonate-containing aquifer can sustain uranium bioreduction/immobilization and decrease U migration/discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Watson
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6038, United States.
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Bioremediation of uranium-contaminated groundwater: a systems approach to subsurface biogeochemistry. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2013; 24:489-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2012.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2012] [Accepted: 10/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Tang G, Wu WM, Watson DB, Parker JC, Schadt CW, Shi X, Brooks SC. U(VI) bioreduction with emulsified vegetable oil as the electron donor--microcosm tests and model development. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:3209-3217. [PMID: 23397992 DOI: 10.1021/es304641b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We conducted microcosm tests and biogeochemical modeling to study U(VI) reduction in contaminated sediments amended with emulsified vegetable oil (EVO). Indigenous microorganisms in the sediments degraded EVO and stimulated Fe(III), U(VI), and sulfate reduction, and methanogenesis. Acetate concentration peaked in 100-120 days in the EVO microcosms versus 10-20 days in the oleate microcosms, suggesting that triglyceride hydrolysis was a rate-limiting step in EVO degradation and subsequent reactions. Acetate persisted 50 days longer in oleate- and EVO- than in ethanol-amended microcosms, indicating that acetate-utilizing methanogenesis was slower in the oleate and EVO than ethanol microcosms. We developed a comprehensive biogeochemical model to couple EVO hydrolysis, production, and oxidation of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA), glycerol, acetate, and hydrogen, reduction of Fe(III), U(VI) and sulfate, and methanogenesis with growth and decay of multiple functional microbial groups. By estimating EVO, LCFA, and glycerol degradation rate coefficients, and introducing a 100 day lag time for acetoclastic methanogenesis for oleate and EVO microcosms, the model approximately matched observed sulfate, U(VI), and acetate concentrations. Our results confirmed that EVO could stimulate U(VI) bioreduction in sediments and the slow EVO hydrolysis and acetate-utilizing methanogens growth could contribute to longer term bioreduction than simple substrates (e.g., ethanol, acetate, etc.) in the subsurface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoping Tang
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PO Box 2008, MS-6038, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6038, United States.
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