The removal of uranium from mining waste water using algal/microbial biomass

• Published in: Journal of environmental radioactivity Vol. 78; no. 2; pp. 151 - 177
• Main Authors: Kalin, Margarete, Wheeler, W.N., Meinrath, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adsorption; Applied sciences; Bacteria - chemistry; Bacteria - metabolism; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biological treatment of waters; Biomass; Bioremediation; Biotechnology; Brackish; Cell Wall - chemistry; Cell Wall - metabolism; Ecological engineering; Environment and pollution; Environmental chemistry; Eukaryota - chemistry; Eukaryota - metabolism; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Geologic Sediments - microbiology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Industrial wastewaters; Ligands; Mining; Oxidation-Reduction; Pollution; Remediation; Uranium; Uranium - analysis; Uranium - chemistry; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Wastewaters; Water Pollutants, Radioactive - analysis; Water treatment and pollution; Environmental chemistry; Uranium; Remediation; Bioremediation; Ecological engineering; Microbial activity; Bioadsorbents; Review; Radioisotope; Cell wall; Biological purification; Chemical reduction; Precipitation; Absorption; Mineralization; Biotransformation; Mining industry; Thallophyta; Uranium ore; Algae; Sedimentation; Biosorption; Adsorption; Industrial waste water; Uranium VI; Waste water purification
• ISSN: 0265-931X; 1879-1700
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2004.05.002

We describe a three step process for the removal of uranium (U) from dilute waste waters. Step one involves the sequestration of U on, in, and around aquatic plants such as algae. Cell wall ligands efficiently remove U(VI) from waste water. Growing algae continuously renew the cellular surface area. Step 2 is the removal of U-algal particulates from the water column to the sediments. Step 3 involves reducing U(VI) to U(IV) and transforming the ions into stable precipitates in the sediments. The algal cells provide organic carbon and other nutrients to heterotrophic microbial consortia to maintain the low EH, within which the U is transformed. Among the microorganisms, algae are of predominant interest for the ecological engineer because of their ability to sequester U and because some algae can live under many extreme environments, often in abundance. Algae grow in a wide spectrum of water qualities, from alkaline environments (Chara, Nitella) to acidic mine drainage waste waters (Mougeotia, Ulothrix). If they could be induced to grow in waste waters, they would provide a simple, long-term means to remove U and other radionuclides from U mining effluents. This paper reviews the literature on algal and microbial adsorption, reduction, and transformation of U in waste streams, wetlands, lakes and oceans.