Study of the biomineralization of phosphate by microorganisms for the bioremediation of uranium mine tailings

• Grant number: 18/14338-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: August 10, 2018
• End date: February 01, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Benedito Corrêa
• Grantee: Ednei Assunção Antunes Coelho
• Supervisor: Joanna Claire Renshaw
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Strathclyde, Scotland
• Associated to the scholarship: 15/06757-1 - Isolation of fungi with potential for bioremediation of heavy metals and radionuclides in uranium mine Osamu Utsumi, BP.DR

Abstract

The Osamu Utsumi mine of Brazilian nuclear industries (INB), located in the city of Caldas/MG, was the first uranium (U) mine in Brazil and was closed in 1995. Since then, it has been in the decommissioning phase with problems in rehabilitating areas with contamination caused by uranium mining activities. Currently the mine has high levels of uranium contamination. Bioremediation is an alternative technology for the remediation of sites contaminated with heavy metals. The potential of fungi for the biosorption of heavy metals from contaminated environments and great production of enzymes has been recognized, thus, the aim of the present project is to analyze the phosphate biomineralization by microorganisms and simulation of uranium remediation from tailings. The new methods developed and validated could be implemented in the research of Brazilian groups and also will provide significant knowledge about bioremediation in uranium mines. Other aspects considering fungi and uranium mine bioremediation can be investigated and also could be applied to the research. (AU)