Project Details

Description

0001900 Logan The objective of this research is to elucidate the physiology of perchlorate reducing microorganisms (PRMs). Perchlorate has been detected in ground waters and it endangers the drinking water supply of more than twelve million people. Perchlorate can be used as an electron acceptor by many newly isolated strains of bacteria. Evidence suggests that in the last step of perchlorate reduction, a chlorite dismutase produces molecular oxygen. This is an interesting biological development because oxygen is a preferred electron acceptor. Under fully aerobic conditions, even capable bacteria do not reduce perchlorate. Nitrates can also interfere with perchlorate reduction. Using respiratory inhibitors, the researchers will probe the transfer of electrons along the respiratory chain in PRMs in order to determine how perchlorate and chlorate are used for cell respiration. Through the use of other chemicals, such as chloramphenicol to inhibit protein synthesis, it will be determined whether different pathways are inducible or constitutive and what conditions are necessary to maintain perchlorate-reducing conditions in bacterial cultures. This research will provide information necessary for the development of drinking water, wastewater and in-situ treatment systems to biologically remove perchlorate.***

StatusFinished
Effective start/end date9/15/008/31/04

Funding

  • National Science Foundation: $428,121.00

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