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Physics and AstronomyAtomic and Molecular Physics and Spectroscopy

Microbial Reduction of Chromium from the Hexavalent to Divalent State

Authors: Tyrone L. Daulton; Brenda J. Little; Joanne Jones-Meehan; Douglas A. Blom; Lawrence F. Allard; NAVAL RESEARCH LAB STENNIS SPACE CENTER MS OCEANOGRAPHY DIV
Abstract:
We demonstrate that Shewanella oneidensis, a metal-reducing bacteria species with cytoplasmic-membrane-bound reductases and remarkably diverse respiratory capabilities, reduced Cr(VI) to Cr(II) in anaerobic cultures where chromate was the sole terminal electron acceptor. Individual cell microanalysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) demonstrates Cr(II) concentrated near the cytoplasmic membrane, suggesting the terminal reduction pathway is intracellularly localized. Further, estimated cellular Cr(II) concentrations are relatively high at upwards of 0.03-0.09 g CrIg bacterium. Accumulation of Cr(II) is observed in S. oneidensis cells prior to the formation of submicron-sized precipitates of insoluble Cr(III) on their surfaces. Furthermore, under anaerobic conditions, Cr(III) precipitates that encrust cells are shown to contain Cr(II) that is likely bound in the net negatively charged extracellular biopolymers which can permeate the surfaces of the precipitates. In otherwise nearly identical incubations, Cr(III) precipitate formation was observed in cultures maintained anaerobic with bubbled nitrogen but not in three replicate cultures in an anaerobic chamber.

Limitations: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Description: Journal article
Pages: 11
Report Date: 2007
Report Number: A154174
Keywords relating to this report:
*CHROMIUM
*Reduction
*VALENCE
ANAEROBIC BACTERIA
CELL STRUCTURE
CULTURES_BIOLOGY_
ELECTRON ACCEPTORS
ELECTRON ENERGY
ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
MICROANALYSIS
REPRINTS
SURFACES
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
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