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A spectroscopic study on U(VI) biomineralization in cultivated Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms isolated from granitic aquifers

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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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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) under contract number 02E10618. The X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements were performed at BM20 (ROBL) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble (France). In particular, thanks are given to Andreas Scheinost and Christoph Hennig (ROBL Group, ESRF, Grenoble, France) for their support during the XAS measurements and their help in evaluating the data. We thank Ursula Schaefer, Aline Ritter, and Carola Eckardt for the analysis. Stephan Weiß′s skilful work on sample preparation for EXAFS is gratefully acknowledged. Nina Huittinen is thanked for the fruitful discussion.

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  1. Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, P.O. Box 51 01 19, 01314, Dresden, Germany

    Evelyn Krawczyk-Bärsch, Laura Lütke, Henry Moll, Frank Bok, Robin Steudtner & André Rossberg

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  1. Evelyn Krawczyk-Bärsch
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  2. Laura Lütke
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  3. Henry Moll
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Correspondence to Evelyn Krawczyk-Bärsch.

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Krawczyk-Bärsch, E., Lütke, L., Moll, H. et al. A spectroscopic study on U(VI) biomineralization in cultivated Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms isolated from granitic aquifers. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 4555–4565 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3671-4

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