Enhancement of uranous-ion oxidation byThiobacillus ferrooxidans.

U(IV)-ion oxidation was monitored manometrically in cell suspensions ofThiobacillus ferrooxidans. The bacteria accelerated the oxygen uptake associated with U(4+)-oxidation, possibly resulting from cyclic regeneration of residual amounts of ferric ion in the cell suspension. The rate of chemical oxidation in dilute sulfuric acid was not affected by addition of autoclaved cells.