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Sequestration of cobalt and nickel by biofilm forming bacteria isolated from spent nuclear fuel pool water

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Abstract

In the current study, six bacterial types, isolated from spent nuclear fuel (SNF) pool facility, were investigated for their ability to sequester heavy metals (cobalt and nickel). Biofilm formation by the six bacterial isolates, viz., Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus species, Staphylococcus arlettae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus auricularis, and Chryseobacterium gleum, were assayed, and they were found to have significant biofilm forming property. Their biofilms were characterised using confocal scanning laser microscopy, and their potential to accumulate Co2+ and Ni2+ from bulk solutions was analysed with respect to time. A comparative assessment of bioaccumulation capacity was done using biofilms, planktonic cells, and live vs dead cells. The strains accumulated Co2+ and Ni2+ in the range of 4 × 10−4 to 1 × 10−5 g/mg of cell biomass. It is interesting to note that dead biomass also showed significant removal of the two metal ions, suggesting an alternative process for metal removal. This study suggests that hostile environments can be a repertoire of putative bacterial species with potential heavy metals and other contaminants remediation properties.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, 493225, India

    Dugeshwar Karley

  2. Biofouling & Biofilm Processes Section, Water & Steam Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Facilities, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, 603102, India

    Dugeshwar Karley & Sudhir Kumar Shukla

  3. School of Arts & Sciences, Sai University, Paiyanur, OMR, , Tamil Nadu, 603104, India

    Toleti Subba Rao

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Dugeshwar Karley: involved in designing and conducting the experiments, data analysis, and in drafting the manuscript. Sudhir Kumar Shukla: conceived and designed the experiments, did the data analysis, and drafted the manuscript. Toleti Subba Rao: conceived and designed the experiments, data discussion, and finalised the manuscript.

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Karley, D., Shukla, S.K. & Rao, T.S. Sequestration of cobalt and nickel by biofilm forming bacteria isolated from spent nuclear fuel pool water. Environ Monit Assess 195, 699 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-11266-x

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