Influence of americium-241 on the microbial population and biodegradation of organic waste

• Published in: Environmental chemistry letters Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 209 - 216
• Main Authors: de Pádua Ferreira, Rafael Vicente, Sakata, Solange Kazumi, Isiki, Vera Lúcia Keiko, Miyamoto, Hissae, Bellini, Maria Helena, de Lima, Luis Filipe C. P., Marumo, Júlio Takehiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.06.2011; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Americium; Anaerobic conditions; Analytical Chemistry; Bacteria; Biodegradation; Chryseobacterium indologenes; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Flavobacterium; Geochemistry; Leachates; Microbiology; Ochrobactrum anthropi; Organic matter; Organic waste treatment; Organic wastes; Original Paper; Pollution; Pseudomonas; Pseudomonas putida; Radioactive wastes; Degradation; Organic waste; Bacteria; Americium; Lightning rod
• ISSN: 1610-3653; 1610-3661
• DOI: 10.1007/s10311-009-0266-2

The present study investigated the influence of 241 Am on microbial growth and the degradation of organic waste. Leachate samples collected in a lysimeter were periodically analyzed for bacterial growth, under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. 241 Am inhibited bacterial growth, and the degradation of organic matter was delayed in comparison with the control. Minimal inhibitory concentration assays and survival curves revealed that it inhibits the growth of Pseudomonas putida F1. The assay also revealed that 241 Am is more toxic than 238 U, Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ . This study further led to the finding of four new radionuclide-tolerant bacterial strains: Flavobacterium spp ., Pseudomonas gladioli, Chryseobacterium indologenes and Ochrobactrum anthropi. The survival curves of P. gladioli, C. indologenes revealed that these bacteria are resistant to metal as consortia.