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Hilpmann S, Bader M, Steudtner R, Müller K, Stumpf T, Cherkouk A. Microscopic and spectroscopic bioassociation study of uranium(VI) with an archaeal Halobacterium isolate. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262275. [PMID: 35025937 PMCID: PMC8757991 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The safe disposal of high-level radioactive waste in a deep geological repository is a huge social and technical challenge. So far, one of the less considered factors needed for a long-term risk assessment, is the impact of microorganisms occurring in the different host rocks. Even under the harsh conditions of salt formations different bacterial and archaeal species were found, e. g. Halobacterium sp. GP5 1-1, which has been isolated from a German rock salt sample. The interactions of this archaeon with uranium(VI), one of the radionuclides of major concern for the long-term storage of high-level radioactive waste, were investigated. Different spectroscopic techniques, as well as microscopy, were used to examine the occurring mechanisms on a molecular level leading to a more profound process understanding. Batch experiments with different uranium(VI) concentrations showed that the interaction is not only a simple, but a more complex combination of different processes. With the help of in situ attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy the association of uranium(VI) onto carboxylate groups was verified. In addition, time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy revealed the formation of phosphate and carboxylate species within the cell pellets as a function of the uranium(VI) concentration and incubation time. The association behavior differs from another very closely related halophilic archaeon, especially with regard to uranium(VI) concentrations. This clearly demonstrates the importance of studying the interactions of different, at first sight very similar, microorganisms with uranium(VI). This work provides new insights into the microbe-uranium(VI) interactions at highly saline conditions relevant to the long-term storage of radioactive waste in rock salt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Hilpmann
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Miriam Bader
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Robin Steudtner
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katharina Müller
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thorsten Stumpf
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andrea Cherkouk
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
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Ruiz-Lopez S, Foster L, Boothman C, Cole N, Morris K, Lloyd JR. Identification of a Stable Hydrogen-Driven Microbiome in a Highly Radioactive Storage Facility on the Sellafield Site. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:587556. [PMID: 33329459 PMCID: PMC7732693 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.587556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of nuclear power has been a significant part of the United Kingdom’s energy portfolio with the Sellafield site being used for power production and more recently reprocessing and decommissioning of spent nuclear fuel activities. Before being reprocessed, spent nuclear fuel is stored in water ponds with significant levels of background radioactivity and in high alkalinity (to minimize fuel corrosion). Despite these challenging conditions, the presence of microbial communities has been detected. To gain further insight into the microbial communities present in extreme environments, an indoor, hyper-alkaline, oligotrophic, and radioactive spent fuel storage pond (INP) located on the Sellafield site was analyzed. Water samples were collected from sample points within the INP complex, and also the purge water feeding tank (FT) that supplies water to the pond, and were screened for the presence of the 16S and 18S rRNA genes to inform sequencing requirements over a period of 30 months. Only 16S rRNA genes were successfully amplified for sequencing, suggesting that the microbial communities in the INP were dominated by prokaryotes. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) analysis targeting 16S rRNA genes suggested that bacterial cells in the order of 104–106 mL–1 were present in the samples, with loadings rising with time. Next generation Illumina MiSeq sequencing was performed to identify the dominant microorganisms at eight sampling times. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis suggested that 70% and 91% from of the OTUs samples, from the FT and INP respectively, belonged to the phylum Proteobacteria, mainly from the alpha and beta subclasses. The remaining OTUs were assigned primarily to the phyla Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and, Cyanobacteria. Overall the most abundant genera identified were Hydrogenophaga, Curvibacter, Porphyrobacter, Rhodoferax, Polaromonas, Sediminibacterium, Roseococcus, and Sphingomonas. The presence of organisms most closely related to Hydrogenophaga species in the INP areas, suggests the metabolism of hydrogen as an energy source, most likely linked to hydrolysis of water caused by the stored fuel. Isolation of axenic cultures using a range of minimal and rich media was also attempted, but only relatively minor components (from the phylum Bacteroidetes) of the pond water communities were obtained, emphasizing the importance of DNA-based, not culture-dependent techniques, for assessing the microbiome of nuclear facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Ruiz-Lopez
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester (UoM), Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Lynn Foster
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester (UoM), Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Boothman
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester (UoM), Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nick Cole
- Sellafield Ltd., Warrington, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Morris
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester (UoM), Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester (UoM), Manchester, United Kingdom
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Huang FY, Zhang HL, Wang YP, Yi FC, Feng S, Huang HX, Cheng MX, Cheng J, Yuan WJ, Zhang J. Uranium speciation and distribution in Shewanella putrefaciens and anaerobic granular sludge in the uranium immobilization process. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-020-07279-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Bader M, Rossberg A, Steudtner R, Drobot B, Großmann K, Schmidt M, Musat N, Stumpf T, Ikeda-Ohno A, Cherkouk A. Impact of Haloarchaea on Speciation of Uranium-A Multispectroscopic Approach. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:12895-12904. [PMID: 30125086 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b02667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Haloarchaea represent a predominant part of the microbial community in rock salt, which can serve as host rock for the disposal of high level radioactive waste. However, knowledge is missing about how Haloarchaea interact with radionuclides. Here, we used a combination of spectroscopic and microscopic methods to study the interactions of an extremely halophilic archaeon with uranium, one of the major radionuclides in high level radioactive waste, on a molecular level. The obtained results show that Halobacterium noricense DSM 15987T influences uranium speciation as a function of uranium concentration and incubation time. X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveals the formation of U(VI) phosphate minerals, such as meta-autunite, as the major species at a lower uranium concentration of 30 μM, while U(VI) is mostly associated with carboxylate groups of the cell wall and extracellular polymeric substances at a higher uranium concentration of 85 μM. For the first time, we identified uranium biomineralization in the presence of Halobacterium noricense DSM 15987T cells. These findings highlight the potential importance of Archaea in geochemical cycling of uranium and their role in biomineralization in hypersaline environments, offering new insights into the microbe-actinide interactions in highly saline conditions relevant to the disposal of high-level radioactive waste as well as bioremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Bader
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Institute of Resource Ecology , Bautzner Landstraße 400 , 01328 Dresden , Germany
| | - André Rossberg
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Institute of Resource Ecology , Bautzner Landstraße 400 , 01328 Dresden , Germany
| | - Robin Steudtner
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Institute of Resource Ecology , Bautzner Landstraße 400 , 01328 Dresden , Germany
| | - Björn Drobot
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Institute of Resource Ecology , Bautzner Landstraße 400 , 01328 Dresden , Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden , Central Radionuclide Laboratory , Zellescher Weg 19 , 01062 Dresden , Germany
| | - Kay Großmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Institute of Resource Ecology , Bautzner Landstraße 400 , 01328 Dresden , Germany
| | - Matthias Schmidt
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research , Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry , Permoserstraße 15 , 04318 Leipzig , Germany
| | - Niculina Musat
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research , Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry , Permoserstraße 15 , 04318 Leipzig , Germany
| | - Thorsten Stumpf
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Institute of Resource Ecology , Bautzner Landstraße 400 , 01328 Dresden , Germany
| | - Atsushi Ikeda-Ohno
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Institute of Resource Ecology , Bautzner Landstraße 400 , 01328 Dresden , Germany
| | - Andrea Cherkouk
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Institute of Resource Ecology , Bautzner Landstraße 400 , 01328 Dresden , Germany
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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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Krawczyk-Bärsch E, Lütke L, Moll H, Bok F, Steudtner R, Rossberg A. A spectroscopic study on U(VI) biomineralization in cultivated Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms isolated from granitic aquifers. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:4555-4565. [PMID: 25318416 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3671-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The interaction between the Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilm and U(VI) were studied using extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS), and time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). In EXAFS studies, the formation of a stable uranyl phosphate mineral, similar to autunite (Ca[UO2]2[PO4]2•2-6H2O) or meta-autunite (Ca[UO2]2[PO4]2•10-12H2O) was observed. This is the first time such a biomineralization process has been observed in P. fluorescens. Biomineralization occurs due to phosphate release from the cellular polyphosphate, likely as a cell's response to the added uranium. It differs significantly from the biosorption process occurring in the planktonic cells of the same strain. TRLFS studies of the uranium-contaminated nutrient medium identified aqueous Ca2UO2(CO3)3 and UO2(CO3)3 (4-) species, which in contrast to the biomineralization in the P. fluorescens biofilm, may contribute to the transport and migration of U(VI). The obtained results reveal that biofilms of P. fluorescens may play an important role in predicting the transport behavior of uranium in the environment. They will also contribute to the improvement of remediation methods in uranium-contaminated sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Krawczyk-Bärsch
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, P.O. Box 51 01 19, 01314, Dresden, Germany,
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Decrease of U(VI) immobilization capability of the facultative anaerobic strain Paenibacillus sp. JG-TB8 under anoxic conditions due to strongly reduced phosphatase activity. PLoS One 2014; 9:e102447. [PMID: 25157416 PMCID: PMC4144796 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions of a facultative anaerobic bacterial isolate named Paenibacillus sp. JG-TB8 with U(VI) were studied under oxic and anoxic conditions in order to assess the influence of the oxygen-dependent cell metabolism on microbial uranium mobilization and immobilization. We demonstrated that aerobically and anaerobically grown cells of Paenibacillus sp. JG-TB8 accumulate uranium from aqueous solutions under acidic conditions (pH 2 to 6), under oxic and anoxic conditions. A combination of spectroscopic and microscopic methods revealed that the speciation of U(VI) associated with the cells of the strain depend on the pH as well as on the aeration conditions. At pH 2 and pH 3, uranium was exclusively bound by organic phosphate groups provided by cellular components, independently on the aeration conditions. At higher pH values, a part (pH 4.5) or the total amount (pH 6) of the dissolved uranium was precipitated under oxic conditions in a meta-autunite-like uranyl phosphate mineral phase without supplying an additional organic phosphate substrate. In contrast to that, under anoxic conditions no mineral formation was observed at pH 4.5 and pH 6, which was clearly assigned to decreased orthophosphate release by the cells. This in turn was caused by a suppression of the indigenous phosphatase activity of the strain. The results demonstrate that changes in the metabolism of facultative anaerobic microorganisms caused by the presence or absence of oxygen can decisively influence U(VI) biomineralization.
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