Adsorption and Reduction of Uranium with Shewanella oneidensis and Graphene Oxide

Uranium contamination in groundwater from waste created in the production of nuclear energy is a problem that can be solved with a bioremediation bioreactor. Investigating the reduction and oxidation reactions and the biotransformation of uranium will aid in the development of a suitable bioreactor. Under aerobic conditions the metal reducing bacteria Shewanella oneidensis directly reduces soluble hexavalent uranium to insoluble tetravalent uranium. Microbial reduction of hexavalent uranium by S. oneidensis is dependent on c-type cytochromes and extracellular pili protein structures. This study investigates whether a higher yield of uranium can be removed from water treated with bioreactors containing S. oneidensis and graphene oxide encapsulated in alginate. Biomass and graphene oxide was embedded in a calcium-alginate matrix to immobilize uranium and remove it from aqueous solution. The variables tested included calcium-alginate beads encapsulated S. oneidensis and graphene oxide, only S. oneidensis, only graphene oxide, and absence of both. Two hundred milliliters of a 500 part per million uranyl nitrate solution was cycled through bioreactors for one hundred twenty minutes and ten milliliter samples were removed at fifteen minute intervals. Bioreactor models removed nearly 70% uranium from solution within fifteen minutes showing maximum sorption more than 90%., M.S. Alabama A&M University 2013, Includes bibliographical references (pages 46-49)., Thesis Advisor: Dr. Jacob Savage, PhD, Committee members: Jacob Savage, Florence Okafor, Claudiu Muntele, Malinda Gilmore, KEY WORDS: Bioreactor, bioremediation, biosorption, biotransformation.
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Abstract/Description: Uranium contamination in groundwater from waste created in the production of nuclear energy is a problem that can be solved with a bioremediation bioreactor. Investigating the reduction and oxidation reactions and the biotransformation of uranium will aid in the development of a suitable bioreactor. Under aerobic conditions the metal reducing bacteria Shewanella oneidensis directly reduces soluble hexavalent uranium to insoluble tetravalent uranium. Microbial reduction of hexavalent uranium by S. oneidensis is dependent on c-type cytochromes and extracellular pili protein structures. This study investigates whether a higher yield of uranium can be removed from water treated with bioreactors containing S. oneidensis and graphene oxide encapsulated in alginate. Biomass and graphene oxide was embedded in a calcium-alginate matrix to immobilize uranium and remove it from aqueous solution. The variables tested included calcium-alginate beads encapsulated S. oneidensis and graphene oxide, only S. oneidensis, only graphene oxide, and absence of both. Two hundred milliliters of a 500 part per million uranyl nitrate solution was cycled through bioreactors for one hundred twenty minutes and ten milliliter samples were removed at fifteen minute intervals. Bioreactor models removed nearly 70% uranium from solution within fifteen minutes showing maximum sorption more than 90%.
Subject(s): Microbiology.
Date Issued: 2013
Title: Adsorption and Reduction of Uranium with Shewanella oneidensis and Graphene Oxide.
Name(s): Savage, Jacob, author.
Alabama A & M University, degree granting institution.
Department of Biological and Environmental Science, degree granting department.
Type of Resource: text
Genre: masters theses
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 2013
Publisher: Alabama A&M University
Place of Publication: Normal, Al
Physical Form: electronic resource
remote
Extent: 1 online resource (xi, 49 pages) : illustrations (some color)
Language: English
Abstract/Description: Uranium contamination in groundwater from waste created in the production of nuclear energy is a problem that can be solved with a bioremediation bioreactor. Investigating the reduction and oxidation reactions and the biotransformation of uranium will aid in the development of a suitable bioreactor. Under aerobic conditions the metal reducing bacteria Shewanella oneidensis directly reduces soluble hexavalent uranium to insoluble tetravalent uranium. Microbial reduction of hexavalent uranium by S. oneidensis is dependent on c-type cytochromes and extracellular pili protein structures. This study investigates whether a higher yield of uranium can be removed from water treated with bioreactors containing S. oneidensis and graphene oxide encapsulated in alginate. Biomass and graphene oxide was embedded in a calcium-alginate matrix to immobilize uranium and remove it from aqueous solution. The variables tested included calcium-alginate beads encapsulated S. oneidensis and graphene oxide, only S. oneidensis, only graphene oxide, and absence of both. Two hundred milliliters of a 500 part per million uranyl nitrate solution was cycled through bioreactors for one hundred twenty minutes and ten milliliter samples were removed at fifteen minute intervals. Bioreactor models removed nearly 70% uranium from solution within fifteen minutes showing maximum sorption more than 90%.
Identifier(s): Shivers_aamu_1705M_10035 (local)
Note(s):

M.S. Alabama A&M University 2013

Includes bibliographical references (pages 46-49).

Thesis Advisor: Dr. Jacob Savage, PhD

Committee members: Jacob Savage, Florence Okafor, Claudiu Muntele, Malinda Gilmore

KEY WORDS: Bioreactor, bioremediation, biosorption, biotransformation.
Subject(s): Microbiology.
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