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Uranium phosphate biomineralization by fungi
Xinjin Liang1, Stephen Hillier2,3, Helen Pendlowski2
1Geomicrobiology Group, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, Scotland, UK.
Environmental Microbiology
|January 13, 2015
Summary
Soil fungi like Aspergillus niger precipitate uranium phosphate biominerals when grown with organic phosphorus. This fungal activity in uranium and phosphorus biogeochemistry has implications for bioremediation and element recovery.
Area of Science:
- Biogeochemistry
- Mycology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Soil fungi play roles in nutrient cycling.
- Uranium contamination poses environmental risks.
- Biomineralization by microorganisms is a key process in geochemistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ability of soil fungi to precipitate uranium phosphate biominerals.
- To identify the specific uranium-containing minerals formed by fungi.
- To explore the potential of fungal biomineralization for uranium bioremediation.
Main Methods:
- Culturing Aspergillus niger and Paecilomyces javanicus on organic phosphorus and uranium.
- Analyzing precipitated minerals using X-ray powder diffraction.
- Utilizing geochemical modeling to understand uranium speciation.
Main Results:
- Fungi precipitated various uranyl phosphate species, including meta-ankoleite and uramphite.
- Mineral precipitation occurred on fungal hyphae, localizing uranium.
- Geochemical modeling supported experimental findings on uranium speciation.
Conclusions:
- Fungi can precipitate uranium-containing phosphate biominerals from organic phosphorus sources.
- Fungal biomineralization contributes to uranium and phosphorus biogeochemistry.
- These findings suggest potential applications in uranium bioremediation and recovery.
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