Bioremediation of toxic metals and radionuclides using naturally evolved bacteria capable of intra-cellular reduction without oxidative stress

Most toxic metals and radionuclides can be naturally rendered insoluble-immobile by bacterial reduction, which may be exploited for bioremediation purposes at waste repository sites. Some bacteria (e.g. iron or sulphate respirers) are receiving intense attention as their envelope-located electron transport chain can carry out such reductions. However, this process is subject to inhibition by nitrate and oxygen, usually present at waste sites.