Bioremediation potential of bacteria able to reduce high levels of selenium and tellurium oxyanions

Environmental contamination by Te and Se oxyanions has become a serious concern, with the search for green, ecologically friendly methods for removal gaining ground. Bacteria capable of reducing these highly toxic compounds to a virtually non-toxic elemental form could provide a solution. In this study, four strains of bacteria with potential for bioremediation of Te and Se oxyanions were investigated. Under aerobic conditions over 48h, Erythromicrobium ramosum, strain E5 removed 244 mu g/ml tellurite and 98 mu g/ml selenite, Erythromonas ursincola, KR99 203 mu g/ml tellurite and 100 mu g/ml selenite, AV-Te-18 98 mu g/ml tellurite and 103 mu g/ml selenite and ER-V-8 93 mu g/ml tellurite and 103 mu g/ml selenite. In the absence of oxygen, AV-Te-18 and ER-V-8 removed 10 mu g/ml tellurite after 24 and 48 h, respectively and 46 and 25 mu g/ml selenite, respectively, over 48 h. ER-V-8 removed 14 mu g/ml selenate after 5 days. This highlights the great potential of these microbes for use in bioremediation.