Dynamics of microbial community composition and function during in situ bioremediation of a uranium-contaminated aquifer.

ABSTRACT: A pilot-scale system was established to examine the feasibility of in situ U(VI) immobilization at a highly contaminated aquifer (U.S. DOE Integrated Field Research Challenge site, Oak Ridge, TN). Ethanol was injected intermittently as an electron donor to stimulate microbial U(VI) reduction, and U(VI) concentrations fell to below the Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standard (0.03 mg liter(-1)). Microbial communities from three monitoring wells were examined during active U(VI) reduction and maintenance phases with GeoChip, a high-density, comprehensive functional gene array. The overall microbial community structure exhibited a considerable shift over the remediation phases examined. GeoChip-based analysis revealed that Fe(III)-reducing bacterial (FeRB), nitrate-reducing ba

SUBMITTER: Van Nostrand JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3127627 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature