Some organisms, such as the lichen Trapelia involuta or microorganisms such as the bacterium Citrobacter, can absorb concentrations of uranium that are up to 300 times the level of their environment. Citrobacter species absorb uranyl ions when given glycerol phosphate (or other similar organic phosphates). After one day, one gram of bacteria can encrust themselves with nine grams of uranyl phosphate crystals; this creates the possibility that these organisms could be used in bioremediation to decontaminate uranium-polluted water. The proteobacterium Geobacter has also been shown to bioremediate uranium in ground water. The mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices increases uranium content in the roots of its symbiotic plant. COUNT 5
QSN1 What microorganism can notably absorb a very high concentrate of uranium? ANS1 Citrobacter QSN2 What is given to Citrobacter to cause it to absorb uranyl ions? ANS2 glycerol phosphate QSN3 What lichen is known to absorb a uranium concentration nearly 300 times higher than the amount in the environment? ANS3 Trapelia involuta QSN4 What protobacterium notably bioremediates ground water uranium? ANS4 Geobacter QSN5 What fungus is known to cause uranium content in its symbiotic plant roots to increase? ANS5 Glomus intraradices