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Characterization of arsenic oxidation and uranium bioremediation potential of arsenic resistant bacteria isolated from uranium ore

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Abstract

Arsenic (As) is often found naturally as the co-contaminant in the uranium (U)-contaminated area, obstructing the bioremediation process. Although the U-contaminated environment harbors microorganisms capable of interacting with U which could be exploited in bioremediation. However, they might be unable to perform with their full potential due to As toxicity. Therefore, potential in arsenic resistance and oxidation is greatly desired among the microorganisms for a continued bioremediation process. In this study, arsenic-resistant bacteria were isolated from U ore collected from Bundugurang U mine, characterized and their As oxidation and U removal potentials were determined. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed the affiliation of isolated bacteria with Microbacterium, Micrococcus, Shinella, and Bacillus. Except Bacillus sp. EIKU7, Microbacterium sp. EIKU5, Shinella sp. EIKU6, and Micrococcus sp. EIKU8 were found to resist more than 400 mM As(V); however, all the isolates could survive in 8 mM As(III). The isolates were found to readily oxidize As under different culture conditions and are also resistant towards Cd, Cr, Co, Ni, and Zn. All the isolates could remove more than 350 mg U/g dry cells within 48 h which were found to be highly dependent upon the concentration of U, biomass added initially, and on the time of exposure. Ability of the isolates to grow in nitrogen-free medium indicated that they can flourish in the nutrition deprived environment. Therefore, the recovery of isolates with the potent ability to resist and oxidize As from U ore might play an important role in toxic metal bioremediation including U.

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Acknowledgements

We thankfully acknowledge Kristen Powers and Dr. Sanjoy Kumar Khan, Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA for language editing of the script.

Funding

This study was financially supported by DST-WTI grant (Grant No. DST/TM/WTI/2K16/276/(G)), Government of India. A support from DST-PURSE, University of Kalyani is also highly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal, 741235, India

    Kiron Bhakat, Arindam Chakraborty & Ekramul Islam

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  1. Kiron Bhakat
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  2. Arindam Chakraborty
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  3. Ekramul Islam
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Correspondence to Ekramul Islam.

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Highlights

• Arsenic-resistant bacteria were isolated from U ore and characterized for U removal

• Isolated bacteria were affiliated to Microbacterium, Micrococcus, Shinella, and Bacillus

• All the bacteria were able to resist more than 400 mM As(V) and 8 mM As(III)

• Isolates removed more than 350 mg U/g dry cells and exhibit As (III) oxidation potential

• Heavy metal-resistant and nitrogen fixing ability indicated their activity in harsh condition

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Bhakat, K., Chakraborty, A. & Islam, E. Characterization of arsenic oxidation and uranium bioremediation potential of arsenic resistant bacteria isolated from uranium ore. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 12907–12919 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-04827-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-04827-6

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