PNNL

Abstract

To better understand the interactions among metal contaminants, nutrients, and microorganisms in subsurface under fracture-flow conditions, iron-reducing biofilms (pure cultures of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1) were grown in six fracture flow reactors (FFRs) of different geometries. The spatial and temporal distribution of nutrients, contaminant, and bacteria were examined using a tracer dye (brilliant blue FCF) and microscopy. The results showed that plugging by bacterial cells depended on the geometry of the reactor; and iron-reducing biofilms grown in FFRs had a definite U(VI)-reduction capacity. To find out the U(VI)-reduction capacity of iron-reducing biofilms, batch experiments of U(VI) reduction were performed in repetitive addition mode. U(VI)-reduction rates of stationary phase grown iron-reducing cultures with and without spent medium decreased after each U(VI) addition. At the end of the fourth U(VI)-addition, stationary phase iron-reducing cultures treated with U(VI) with and without spent medium yielded grey and black precipitates, respectively. These grey and black U precipitates were analyzed using High Resolution-Transmission Electron Microscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Data for randomly selected area of black and grey U precipitates showed that reduced U particles (3-6 nm) were crystalline and amorphous in nature, respectively. This information obtained in this study could be used to develop substrate addition strategies for metal immobilization in subsurface fracture flow systems.