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Mushrooms - Modern Uranium Busters
Posted on Tue May 13 2008
Both individual fungi and mycorrhizal fungi appear to be effective at modifying depleted uranium, as reported in Current Biology. Uranium forms aqueous complexes and may precipitate out of solution when bonded to organic compounds. These chemical properties may offer biologically mediated cycles to address soil contamination. Uranium is mainly used in power plants. However, nuclear reactors require an enriched form, with a higher level of Uranium-235 (totalling about 1.5 to 3% by mass). Naturally occurring uranium consists mainly of 238U (more than 99%), with a little 235U (0.72%) and even less 234U. To create the industrially useful form, 235U is removed from some of the uranium, leaving a weakly radioactive form known as depleted uranium (DU). This depleted uranium is then used in military weapons, defensive armour plating, aircraft counterweights, and radiation shields for medical equipment. The current research shows that fungi are able to grow on the surface of the metal and turn it into uranyl phosphate minerals. The transformation involves both geochemical and biological processes. Oxides coat the depleted uranium, with soil moisture allowing fungal development. The fungi have acidic secretions that act on the metal, converting some of it into biologically active forms. Soluble uranium then reacts with phosphates to form mineral deposits. Unfortunately, recent warfare in Iraq, Kosovo, and other countries has resulted in excessive amounts of depleted uranium. Typical weathering processes spread it throughout the soil and water, leading to contamination of food, drinking water, and airborne particles. Uranyl phosphate minerals bind up uranium, potentially making it less biologically available to soil microbes, plants, and animals. This may also hold the uranium in the soil, rather than allowing it to leach out in groundwater. Fungi offer an ideal approach as they can inhabit contaminated soil, supporting plant survival and growth. The goal would be bioremediation of contaminated sites, as well as the re-establishment of vegetation. CommentsLet us know what you think! |
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Nuclear energy, despite being a cleaner power source with respect to greenhouse gas emissions, evokes plenty of concern. Depleted uranium is a toxic and highly dangerous by-product - from both nuclear reactors and weapons. But new research may offer a potential solution.
It seems to me that nature will sometimes offer up the solution to the pollution spread all over our Mother the Earth. If we are wise stewards, we will recognise it.