Bacteria Turn Toxic Uranium Into Stable Compound | Science News

Science News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 9, 2026 · 1m

Scientists have uncovered a wild new trick: certain bacteria, when fed glycerol, can lock toxic uranium into an ultra-stable compound inside their cell walls—turning a dangerous environmental hazard into something inert. Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf found this happening in real-world mine water, where uranium often spreads unchecked. The resulting compound, FeU(V)O4, resists breakdown even with oxygen exposure, hinting at a powerful natural cleanup method. This discovery could revolutionize how we tackle uranium contamination, turning tiny microbes into environmental…