scientists note that they discovered that unique bacteria living in the contaminated waters of a flooded former Soviet mine in Germany possess the remarkable ability to neutralize toxic uranium.

 

Scientists just found a natural solution to nuclear waste.

In an article published in Nature Communications, scientists note that they discovered that unique bacteria living in the contaminated waters of a flooded former Soviet mine in Germany possess the remarkable ability to neutralize toxic uranium.

When fed glycerol as a carbon source under low-oxygen conditions, these microbes convert soluble, highly toxic uranium into a rare, stable compound called FeU(V)O4. Over a 130-day period, the bacteria successfully removed approximately 95% of the dissolved uranium from water samples, locking it away safely within their cell walls as solid minerals.

This biological process offers a game-changing alternative to traditional, expensive water treatments that typically produce hazardous secondary sludge. By safely binding the uranium in a stable, solid state even when exposed to oxygen, these natural microscopic allies could revolutionize environmental cleanup. Because uranium contamination is a persistent global threat affecting groundwater systems in the United States, Canada, and Australia, researchers are optimistic that this bioremediation method can be adapted to secure toxic waterways worldwide.

source: Newman-Portela, A. M., et al. (2026). Pentavalent and tetravalent uranium formation via glycerol-stimulated bacteria in mine water. Nature Communications, 17(1), 4030.

Neil deGrasse Official