Russian Academy of Sciences Reveals Mechanism of Microbial Bioremediation Reducing Actinide Content in Groundwater
September 1, 2026 news: Researchers from the Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences and other institutions, studied the biogeochemical mechanisms affecting the distribution of actinides such as uranium, plutonium, and neptunium during bioremediation of nitrate-contaminated groundwater. Radionuclide-contaminated groundwater is a significant environmental issue in areas associated with nuclear fuel cycle facilities. Long-lived actinides such as uranium, plutonium, and neptunium, once released into the environment, can migrate over considerable distances with groundwater. Bioremediation, which alters geochemical conditions by stimulating natural microbial processes in the subsurface environment, is considered a potential approach for remediating contaminated zones...
2026-09-02