Phosphate promotes uranium (VI) adsorption in Staphylococcus aureus LZ-01

Staphylococcus aureus LZ‐01 was isolated from the Yellow River upstream from Lanzhou which can resist and reduce chromium (VI) to chromium (III). In this study, strain LZ‐01's uranium (VI) resistance and adsorption abilities were investigated. Our results showed that it can resist 2 mmol l−1 U(VI) and adsorb 96% of 2 mmol l−1 U(VI) after 6 h incubation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that precipitates were formed on the surface of the cells. Energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis indicated that the precipitates contained uranium and phosphorus. The U(VI) adsorption rate of strain LZ‐01 was promoted by 20 mmol l−1 phosphate. It adsorbed 45% of 2·5 mmol l−1 U(VI) in 30 min compared to 36% without phosphate (P < 0·05). Strain LZ‐01 can resist heavy metals and survive in nuclear waste‐contaminated environments. Strain LZ‐01 might be a potential candidate for nuclear waste remediation with phosphate added. Staphylococcus aureus LZ‐01 can resist 2 mmol l−1 U(VI). It could adsorb more than 90% of the 2 mmol l−1 U(VI) in 6 h. Uranium is precipitated with phosphorus on the surface of the cells. Phosphate promotes uranium adsorption in strain LZ‐01, and its U(VI) adsorption capacity is related to its cell availability. These results indicate that the strain LZ‐01 might be a potential candidate for remediation of nuclear waste when phosphate is added.