Enhanced U(Ⅵ) bioreduction by alginate-immobilized uranium-reducing bacteria in the presence of carbon nanotubes and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate

Uranium-reducing bacteria were immobilized with sodium alginate, anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate(AQDS), and carbon nanotubes(CNTs). The effects of different AQDS-CNTs contents, U(Ⅳ) concentrations, and metal ions on U(Ⅳ) reduction by immobilized beads were examined. Over 97.5% U(Ⅵ)(20 mg/L) was removed in 8 hr when the beads were added to 0.7% AQDS-CNTs, which was higher than that without AQDS-CNTs. This result may be attributed to the enhanced electron transfer by AQDS and CNTs. The reduction of U(Ⅵ) occurred at initial U(Ⅵ) concentrations of 10 to 100 mg/L and increased with increasing AQDS-CNT content from 0.1% to 1%. The presence of Fe(Ⅲ), Cu(Ⅱ) and Mn(Ⅱ)slightly increased U(Ⅵ) reduction, whereas Cr(Ⅵ), Ni(Ⅱ), Pb(Ⅱ), and Zn(Ⅱ) significantly inhibited U(Ⅵ) reduction. After eight successive incubation-washing cycles or 8 hr of retention time(HRT) for 48 hr of continuous operation, the removal efficiency of uranium was above 90% and 92%, respectively. The results indicate that the AQDS-CNT/AL/cell beads are suitable for the treatment of uranium-containing wastewaters.