Influence of bacteria on lanthanide and actinide transfer from specific soil components (humus, soil minerals and vitrified municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash) to corn plants: Sr-Nd isotope evidence.
Experiments have been performed to test the stability of vitrified municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerator bottom ash under the presence of bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and plants (corn). The substratum used for the plant growth was a humus-rich soil mixed with vitrified waste. For the first time, information on the stability of waste glasses in the presence of bacteria and plants is given. Results show that inoculated plant samples contained always about two times higher lanthanide and actinide element concentrations. Bacteria support the element transfer since plants growing in inoculated environment developed a smaller root system but have higher trace element concentrations. Compared with the substratum, plants are light rare earth element (LREE) enriched. The vitrified bottom ash has to some extent been corroded by bacteria and plant activities as indicated by the presence of Nd (REE) and Sr from the vitrified waste in the plants. (87)Sr/(86)Sr and (143)Nd/(144)Nd isotope ratios of plants and soil components allow the identification of the corroded soil components and confirm that bacteria accelerate the assimilation of elements from the vitrified bottom ash. These findings are of importance for landfill disposal scenarios, and similar experiments should be performed in order to better constrain the processes of microbially mediated alteration of the MSW glasses in the biosphere.
Aouad
Georges
G
Ecole et Observatoire des Sciences de la Terre, Centre de Géochimie de la Surface/CNRS UMR 7517, 1 rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France.
Stille
Peter
P
Crovisier
Jean-Louis
JL
Geoffroy
Valérie A
VA
Meyer
Jean-Marie
JM
Lahd-Geagea
Majdi
M
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D017745:Incineration; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis; D007554:Isotopes / Q000378:metabolism; D028581:Lanthanoid Series Elements / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000502:physiology*; D012987:Soil; D003313:Zea mays / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology
D007220:Industrial Waste; D007554:Isotopes; D028581:Lanthanoid Series Elements; D008670:Metals; D012987:Soil