Inhibition of Bacterial U(VI) Reduction by Calcium

Abstract

The rapid kinetics of bacterial U(VI) reduction and low solubility of uraninite (UO_2,cr) make this process an attractive option for removing uranium from groundwater. Neverthe less, conditions that may promote or inhibit U(VI) reduction are not well-defined. Recent descriptions of Ca−UO₂−CO₃ complexes indicate that these species may dominate the aqueous speciation of U(VI) in many environments. We monitored the bacterial reduction of U(VI) in bicarbonate-buffered solution in the presence and absence of Ca. XAFS measurements confirmed the presence of a Ca−U(VI)−CO₃ complex in the initial solutions containing calcium. Calcium, at millimolar concentrations (0.45−5 mM), caused a significant decrease in the rate and extent of bacterial U(VI) reduction. Both facultative (Shewanella putrefaciens strain CN32) and obligate (Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, Geobacter sulfurreducens) anaerobic bacteria were affected by the presence of calcium. Reduction of U(VI) ceased when the calculated system E_h reached −0.046 ± 0.001 V, based on the Ca₂UO₂(CO₃)₃ → UO_2,cr couple. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that U is a less energetically favorable electron acceptor when the Ca−UO₂−CO₃ complexes are present. The results do not support Ca inhibition caused by direct interactions with the cells or with the electron donor as the reduction of fumarate or Tc(VII)O₄^- under identical conditions was unaffected by the presence of Ca.