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Microbial bioremediation processes for radioactive waste

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Abstract

Microbial processes can affect the environmental behavior of priority radionuclides, and understanding these reactions is essential for the safe management of radioactive wastes and can contribute to the remediation of radionuclide-contaminated land. Underlying mechanisms that can control radionuclide solubility in biogeochemical systems can range from biosorption and biomineralization process, through direct (enzymatic) and indirect redox transformations. The mechanisms of enzyme-mediated reduction of problematic actinides, in principal, uranium (U), but including neptunium (Np), plutonium (Pu) and Americium (Am), are described in this review. In addition, the mechanisms by which the fission products technetium (Tc), cesium (Cs), and strontium (Sr) are removed from a solution by microorganisms are also described. The present review discusses the status of these microbiological processes, and the potential for cost-effective and scalable in situ remediation of radioactive waste.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Biotechnology, Advanced Radiation Technology Institute (ARTI), Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), 1266, Sinjeong-dong, Jeongeup, Jeonbuk, 580-185, Korea

    Changhyun Roh

  2. Ministry of Environment, Daegu Regional Environmental office, Government Complex, Hwaam-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, 704-841, Korea

    ChanKyu Kang

  3. School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, London, UK

    Jonathan R. Lloyd

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  1. Changhyun Roh
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  2. ChanKyu Kang
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  3. Jonathan R. Lloyd
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Correspondence to Changhyun Roh or Jonathan R. Lloyd.

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Changhyun Roh and ChanKyu Kang contributed equally to this work.

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Roh, C., Kang, C. & Lloyd, J.R. Microbial bioremediation processes for radioactive waste. Korean J. Chem. Eng. 32, 1720–1726 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-015-0128-5

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