This award will support collaborative research between Dr. Joan Macy of the University of California at Davis and Professor B.W. Holloway, Monash University, Melbourne. The objective of the research is to better understand the molecular genetic and physiological basis of selenate to selenite reduction in order to investigate microbiological removal of toxic selenium oxides from agricultural water. Specifically, the study tests a newly isolated bacterium of the genus Pseudomonas for anaerobical reduction of selenate to selenite, and in the presence of nitrate, reduction of selenite to insoluble/non-toxic selenium. The project represents excellent collaboration between the Australian group and its expertise in the molecular genetics of pseudomonas and the Macy work in physiological understanding of selenate/selenite reduction. This is important fundamental work on the molecular genetic and physiological basis of selenate/selenite reduction, as well as having potential for major environmental impact in lowering toxic levels of selenium in agricultural drainage water.
