Novel Insights into Organophosphorus-Mineralizing Bacteria Expediting Uranate Immobilization in Tailings

Here, we combined gene amplicon sequencing, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics with strain isolation to explore the effect of PSB on AP and uranate in mining lands. We found that the content of AP and exchangeable U in tailings was significantly higher than their adjacent soils. Surprisingly, PhoD-harboring and gcd-harboring bacteria were enriched in tailings and soils, but only PhoD-harboring bacteria substantially contributed to the AP. Also, the most genes involved in organophosphorus mineralization and uranate resistance were widely present in tailings rather than soils. This study reveals a synergetic metabolic pathway of uranate immobilization by PSB-driven organophosphorus mineralization and highlights the importance of PSB to P and U biogeochemistry in U tailings.