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Identification of the main mechanisms involved in the tolerance and bioremediation of Cr(VI) by Bacillus sp. SFC 500-1E

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Abstract

Chromium pollution is a problem that affects different areas worldwide and, therefore, must be solved. Bioremediation is a promising alternative to treat environmental contamination, but finding bacterial strains able to tolerate and remove different contaminants is a major challenge, since most co-polluted sites contain mixtures of organic and inorganic substances. In the present work, Bacillus sp. SFC 500-1E, isolated from the bacterial consortium SFC 500-1 native to tannery sediments, showed tolerance to various concentrations of different phenolic compounds and heavy metals, such as Cr(VI). This strain was able to efficiently remove Cr(VI), even in the presence of phenol. The detection of the chrA gene suggested that Cr(VI) extrusion could be a mechanism that allowed this strain to tolerate the heavy metal. However, reduction through cytosolic NADH-dependent chromate reductases may be the main mechanism involved in the remediation. The information provided in this study about the mechanisms through which Bacillus sp. SFC 500-1E removes Cr(VI) should be taken into account for the future application of this strain as a possible candidate to remediate contaminated environments.

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Acknowledgements

Paola S. González and Elizabeth Agostini are researchers from Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) (Argentina). Ornella M. Ontañon and Marilina Fernandez are on a fellowship from CONICET. This work was supported by grants from PPI (SECyT-UNRC), CONICET, MinCyT Córdoba, and PICT (FONCyT).

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  1. Departamento de Biología Molecular, FCEFQyN, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto (UNRC), Ruta 36 Km 601, CP 5800, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina

    Ornella M. Ontañon, Marilina Fernandez, Elizabeth Agostini & Paola S. González

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  1. Ornella M. Ontañon
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  2. Marilina Fernandez
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  3. Elizabeth Agostini
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  4. Paola S. González
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Correspondence to Paola S. González.

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Ontañon, O.M., Fernandez, M., Agostini, E. et al. Identification of the main mechanisms involved in the tolerance and bioremediation of Cr(VI) by Bacillus sp. SFC 500-1E. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 16111–16120 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1764-1

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