Microbially Promoted Solubilization of Steel Corrosion Products and Fate of Associated Actinides Page: 2 of 5
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Research Objective
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) statements of need call for "biological and physical
chemical parameters for effective decontamination of metal surfaces using environmentally
benign aqueous-based biopolymer solutions and microbial processes with potential for
decontaminating corroding metal surfaces." Improved understanding of the fundamental
processes of microbial reductive dissolution of iron oxide scale on corroding carbon steel will
support assessment and potential application of an environmentally benign and cost-effective
strategy for in situ decontamination of structural metal surfaces and piping.
This research is designed to develop a safe and effective biological approach for
decontaminating mild and stainless steels that were used in the production, transport, and storage
of radioactive materials.
Research Progress and Implications
This report summarizes research progress made during the 3-year tenure for this project. An
extension with minimal carryover funds was requested and granted to complete and submit
manuscripts for publication. During this research, we have
* Demonstrated that Fe(III)-reducing bacteria reduce Pu(IV) (insoluble) to Pu(III) (soluble).
* Confirmed that the bacteria sorb and accumulate trivalent cations, such as Pu(III).
* Demonstrated that bacteria attached to oxide surfaces are very difficult to remove.
Concluded that recovery of bacteria with sorbed Pu(III) would be impractical.
* Demonstrated that Fe(II) and reduced quinone-like compounds, which are both products of
anaerobic respiration, can reduce chemically reduce solid Pu(IV) to dissolved Pu(III).
e Conceptualized a bead-based system that effectively removes Pu from iron oxides and
accumulates Pu(I) in beads of sodium alginate that can be easily separated from the bulk
aqueous phase.
Dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria enzymatically reduce and dissolve iron oxides, which are
common components of corrosion films, and release soluble species of plutonium, Pu(III).
Consistent with our previous hypothesis, cell surfaces sorb Pu(III) and remove it from the bulk
aqueous phase. However, we incorrectly hypothesized that bacteria with sorbed actinides could
be easily detached and recovered from the surfaces that they had colonized and enzymatically
altered. In fact, we have demonstrated that although cells do naturally detach from oxide2
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Gorby, Yuri A.; Geesey, Gill G.; Caccavo Jr., Frank & Fredrickson, James K. Microbially Promoted Solubilization of Steel Corrosion Products and Fate of Associated Actinides, report, June 1, 2002; Richland, Washington. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc779030/m1/2/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.