Possible biomineralisation of uranium in Lemna gibba G3

We investigate biomineralisation of U(VI) accumulated in

Lemna gibba

G3 under laboratory conditions. Almost 50.3±11.2 % of uranium was eluted from biomass resulting into 243.5±111.7 mg Kg

−1

, and 308.9±189.3 μg L-1 in eluates in a 30 minutes deportation experiment. No further uranium losses or concentration increase in aliquot were observed in weekly analysis of soaked biomass for 5 weeks. Phase Contrast and Scanning Electron Microscope shows crystal formation in and on the fronds. Energy dispersion X-ray showed that the crystals contain uranium and elements that support the phenomenon of metal oxalate formation in Lemna sp. Uranium was likely fixed culture as uranyl oxalates species in

Lemna gibba

. Hence, further studies are required to determination uranyl oxalates species structures and ascertain the biomineralisation.