Characterization of cesium uptake mediated by a potassium transport system of bacteria in a soil conditioner.

We found that bacteria in a commercial soil conditioner sold in Ishinomaki, Miyagi, exhibited concentrative and saturable cesium ion (Cs(+)) uptake in the natural range of pH and temperature. The concentration of intracellular Cs(+) could be condensed at least a few times higher compared with the outside medium of the cells. This uptake appeared to be mediated by a K(+) transport system, since Cs(+) uptake was dose-dependently inhibited by potassium ion (K(+)). Eadie-Hofstee plot analysis indicated that the Cs(+) uptake involved a single saturable process. The maximum uptake amount (Jmax) was the same in the presence and absence of K(+), suggesting that Cs(+) and K(+) uptakes were competitive with respect to each other. These bacteria might be useful for bioremediation of cesium-contaminated soil.