Bacterial formation of extracellular U(VI) nanowires

Abstract

Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 rapidly accumulates long, extracellular, U(VI) nanowires composed of polycrystalline chains of discrete meta-schoepite (UO(3)center dot 2H(2)O) nanocrystallites. The production of uranium(VI) nanowires could provide a novel strategy for remediation of uranium contamination in sediments and aquifers, as well as the recovery of uranium in manufacturing processes.