German scientists find microbes that remove 95% of uranium from contaminated wate

Image: CanvaA team of scientists has uncovered a naturally occurring microbial process that could change how uranium-contaminated water is cleaned up. Studying bacteria living in the flooded Königstein uranium mine in Germany, the researchers discovered that certain microorganisms can transform highly soluble uranium into a rare, stable mineral that remains locked in place instead of spreading through groundwater. In laboratory experiments, the microbes removed around 95% of dissolved uranium over 130 days, raising the possibility of using naturally occurring bacteria as an environmentally friendly tool for remediating radioactive pollution. The findings provide fresh insight into how microbial communities influence uranium chemistry and could help shape future clean-up strategies for cont