Abstract
The biodegradation of tributyl phosphate (Bu3-P, TBP), releasing phosphate at a high enough concentration locally to precipitate uranium from solution, was demonstrated by a mixed culture consisting primarily of pseudomonads. The effect of various parameters on Bu3-P biodegradation by growing cells is described. Growth at the expense of Bu3-P as the carbon and phosphorus source occurred over a pH range from 6.5 to 8, and optimally at pH 7. Bu3-P biodegradation was optimal at 30 °C, reduced at 20 °C and negligible at 4 °C and 37 °C. Incorporation of Cu or Cd inhibited, and Ni, Co and Mn reduced its degradation. Inorganic phosphate (above 10 mM) and kerosene (up to 1 g/l) reduced Bu3-P biodegradation significantly, but nitrate had no effect. Sulphate (10–100 mM) was inhibitory. When pregrown biomass was used the fastest rates of tributyl and dibutyl phosphate biodegradation were 25 μmol h−1 mg protein−1 and 37 μmol h−1 mg protein−1 respectively. Microcarrier-immobilised biomass decontaminated uranium-bearing acid mine waste water by uranium phosphate precipitation at the expense of Bu3-P hydrolysis in the presence of 35 mM SO4 2−. At pH 4.5, 79% of the UO2 2+ was removed at a flow rate of 1.4 ml/h on a 7-ml test column.
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Received: 2 June 1997 / Received revision: 15 September 1997 / Accepted: 19 September 1997
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Thomas, R., Macaskie, L. The effect of growth conditions on the biodegradation of tributyl phosphate and potential for the remediation of acid mine drainage waters by a naturally-occurring mixed microbial culture. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 49, 202–209 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530051159
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530051159