Arsenite Oxidizing Bacterium Isolated from High Arsenic Groundwater Aquifers from Datong Basin, Northern China

Abstract

A microbial strain (Datong-1) was isolated from high arsenic aquifer sediments from the Datong Basin. The strain Datong-1 was identified as an Arthrobacter sp. based on 16S rDNA phylogenetic relationships, and is most closely related to DQ320481.1 and EU 196326.1 within the Arthrobacter genus. Batch experiments with sediment samples were carried out in order to study the arsenite oxidizing ability of Datong-1. These experiments indicate that strain Datong-1 can rapidly oxidize As(III) to As(V). Cell growth was concurrent with the variation of concentration levels of As(V) and As(III) in the suspension, indicating the impact of microbial activity on As(III) oxidization. Therefore, the Datong-1 strain, which can oxidize As(III), is a potential candidate for remediating arsenic contaminated groundwater in the Datong Basin in the future.