Removal and recovery of selenium from the contaminated soil by activating the metabolism of the soil microorganisms

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K12434
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 64020:Environmental load reduction and remediation-related
• Research Institution: Tokoha University
• Principal Investigator: Kuroda Masashi 常葉大学, 社会環境学部, 准教授 (20511786)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: セレン / バイオレメディエーション / バイオボラタリゼーション

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, selenium-metabolizing bacteria were enriched and isolated from environmental samples, and their capacity for selenium removal was evaluated with the aim of developing a biological treatment technology for selenium-contaminated soil and leachate. Although the selenium volatilization observed in the enrichment culture was relatively low, 10 out of the 12 isolated strains, identified as Citrobacter species, exhibited high selenium metabolic activity. These findings suggest that selenium metabolism may be a common trait among Citrobacter species inhabiting diverse environmental niches.

Free Research Field

環境バイオテクノロジー

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでに報告されているセレン代謝細菌のほとんどはセレンやヒ素等の有害元素に汚染された環境から単離・解析されており、高活性なセレン代謝細菌は特殊な環境に存在するものと考えられてきたが、本研究で有害元素による汚染履歴のない環境からもセレン代謝細菌が単離されたことは、セレンの生物地球化学的循環の全容を明らかにする上で重要な手がかりとなる。また、非汚染環境にもセレン代謝細菌が存在し用意に単離できたことからセレン含有土壌または排水の浄化技術の開発を容易にするものと言える。