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Kuippers G, Boothman C, Bagshaw H, Ward M, Beard R, Bryan N, Lloyd JR. The biogeochemical fate of nickel during microbial ISA degradation; implications for nuclear waste disposal. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8753. [PMID: 29884890 PMCID: PMC5993814 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26963-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Intermediate level radioactive waste (ILW) generally contains a heterogeneous range of organic and inorganic materials, of which some are encapsulated in cement. Of particular concern are cellulosic waste items, which will chemically degrade under the conditions predicted during waste disposal, forming significant quantities of isosaccharinic acid (ISA), a strongly chelating ligand. ISA therefore has the potential to increase the mobility of a wide range of radionuclides via complex formation, including Ni-63 and Ni-59. Although ISA is known to be metabolized by anaerobic microorganisms, the biodegradation of metal-ISA complexes remains unexplored. This study investigates the fate of a Ni-ISA complex in Fe(III)-reducing enrichment cultures at neutral pH, representative of a microbial community in the subsurface. After initial sorption of Ni onto Fe(III)oxyhydroxides, microbial ISA biodegradation resulted in >90% removal of the remaining Ni from solution when present at 0.1 mM, whereas higher concentrations of Ni proved toxic. The microbial consortium associated with ISA degradation was dominated by close relatives to Clostridia and Geobacter species. Nickel was preferentially immobilized with trace amounts of biogenic amorphous iron sulfides. This study highlights the potential for microbial activity to help remove chelating agents and radionuclides from the groundwater in the subsurface geosphere surrounding a geodisposal facility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Kuippers
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Heath Bagshaw
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Michael Ward
- Leeds Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy Centre, School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Rebecca Beard
- Radioactive Waste Management Limited, Building 587, Curie Avenue, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RH, UK.,National Nuclear Laboratory Limited, Chadwick House, Warrington Road, Birchwood Park, Warrington, WA3 6AE, UK
| | - Nicholas Bryan
- National Nuclear Laboratory Limited, Chadwick House, Warrington Road, Birchwood Park, Warrington, WA3 6AE, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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Stotzky G. Influence of Soil Mineral Colloids on Metabolic Processes, Growth, Adhesion, and Ecology of Microbes and Viruses. SSSA SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS 2015. [DOI: 10.2136/sssaspecpub17.c10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. Stotzky
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, Dep. of Biology; New York University; New York NY 10003 USA
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Gikas P. Single and combined effects of nickel (Ni(II)) and cobalt (Co(II)) ions on activated sludge and on other aerobic microorganisms: a review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2008; 159:187-203. [PMID: 18394791 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.02.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2007] [Revised: 02/16/2008] [Accepted: 02/19/2008] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Nickel (N(II)) and cobalt (Co(II)) are often encountered in wastewaters. As conventional wastewater treatment may only partially remove nickel and cobalt, a large fraction of the above metals is released to the aquatic environment. Both metals have been identified as micronutrients, at trace concentrations; however, they are both microbial growth inhibitors, at relatively high concentrations. On the other hand, the combined effects (e.g.: growth stimulation or toxicity) of the above metals have been found to differ from the summation of the effects which occur when the metals are applied individually. Moreover, a number of environmental factors (e.g.: pH, biomedium composition, biomass concentration, presence of other heavy metals) can affect the microbial toxicity of the above metallic species. The present review discusses, in a systematic way, the individual and joint effects of the above heavy metals to the growth of microorganisms grown under aerobic conditions, with focus on the growth of activated sludge. Data on multi-metal toxicity are particularly useful in establishing criteria for heavy metal tolerance levels in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros Gikas
- Ministry of Environmental Planning and Public Works, General Secretariat of Public Works, Special Service of Public Works for Greater Athens Sewerage and Sewage Treatment, and Central Water Agency, Varvaki 12, Athens 11474, Greece.
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Freeman JL, Persans MW, Nieman K, Salt DE. Nickel and cobalt resistance engineered in Escherichia coli by overexpression of serine acetyltransferase from the nickel hyperaccumulator plant Thlaspi goesingense. Appl Environ Microbiol 2006; 71:8627-33. [PMID: 16332856 PMCID: PMC1317400 DOI: 10.1128/aem.71.12.8627-8633.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The overexpression of serine acetyltransferase from the Ni-hyperaccumulating plant Thlaspi goesingense causes enhanced nickel and cobalt resistance in Escherichia coli. Furthermore, overexpression of T. goesingense serine acetyltransferase results in enhanced sensitivity to cadmium and has no significant effect on resistance to zinc. Enhanced nickel resistance is directly related to the constitutive overactivation of sulfur assimilation and glutathione biosynthesis, driven by the overproduction of O-acetyl-L-serine, the product of serine acetyltransferase and a positive regulator of the cysteine regulon. Nickel in the serine acetyltransferase-overexpressing strains is not detoxified by coordination or precipitation with sulfur, suggesting that glutathione is involved in reducing the oxidative damage imposed by nickel.
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Affiliation(s)
- John L Freeman
- Center for Plant Environmental Stress Physiology, Purdue University, 625 Agricultural Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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