title: Uranium removal from a contaminated effluent using a combined microbial and nanoparticle system.
abstract: Reduction of soluble uranium(VI) to insoluble uranium(IV) for remediating a uranium-contaminated effluent (EF-03) was examined using a biotic and abiotic integrated system. Shewanella putrefaciens was first used and reduced U(VI) in a synthetic medium but not in the EF-03 effluent sample. Subsequently the growth of autochthonous microorganisms was stimulated with lactate. When lactate was supported on active carbon 77% U(VI) was removed in 4 days. Separately, iron nanoparticles that were 50 nm in diameter reduced U(VI) by 60% in 4 hours. The efficiency of uranium(VI) removal was improved to 96% in 30 min by using a system consisting of lactate and iron nanoparticles immobilized on active carbon. Lactate also stimulated the growth of potential uranium-reducing microorganisms in the EF-03 sample. This system can be efficiently used for the bioremediation of uranium-contaminated effluents.
authors.affiliation: Fundació URV, Av. Països Catalans, 18, 43007 Tarragona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baiget
authors.forename: Magda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Constantí
authors.forename: M Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Francesc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Medina
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053758:Nanoparticles; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D020614:Shewanella putrefaciens / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D014501:Uranium / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D019344:Lactic Acid; D014501:Uranium