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Development of Sulfidogenic Sludge from Marine Sediments and Trichloroethylene Reduction in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor
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U(VI) reduction in sulfate-reducing subsurface sediments amended with ethanol or acetate
Brandon J Converse1, Tao Wu, Robert H Findlay
1University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Geoscience, Madison, WI, USA.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|April 30, 2013
Summary
Subsurface sediments from Oak Ridge National Laboratory showed significant uranium (U(VI)) reduction when supplied with ethanol or acetate. This occurred under sulfate-reducing conditions, indicating effective microbial activity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Geochemistry
- Microbiology
Background:
- Subsurface sediments can contain contaminants like uranium.
- Sulfate-reducing conditions are common in some environments and can influence metal reduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reduction of uranium (U(VI)) in subsurface sediments.
- To assess the role of ethanol and acetate as electron donors under sulfate-reducing conditions.
Main Methods:
- Experimentation with subsurface sediments from Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
- Analysis of geochemical and microbiological parameters.
Main Results:
- Extensive U(VI) reduction was observed with both ethanol and acetate as electron donors.
- Geochemical and microbiological data confirmed active sulfate reduction was occurring.
Conclusions:
- Ethanol and acetate effectively support the microbial reduction of U(VI) in these subsurface sediments.
- Sulfate-reducing conditions facilitate the transformation of U(VI) in contaminated environments.
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