Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Acid Mine Drainage

Acid Mine Drainage

Mining activities that disturb sulfide-rich rocks, particularly those containing pyrite (FeS₂), initiate a cascade of geochemical and microbiological processes with serious environmental implications. When exposed to air and water, pyrite undergoes oxidation, releasing sulfate, ultimately forming sulfuric acid and mobilizing heavy metals into surrounding water systems. This phenomenon, known as acid mine drainage (AMD), results in low pH waters laden with toxic elements that threaten...

Microbial Leaching

Microbial Leaching

Microbial leaching, also known as bioleaching, is an environmentally favorable method for extracting metals from low-grade ores using specific microorganisms. This biotechnological approach is particularly valuable for mining operations targeting copper, gold, and uranium, where traditional extraction methods may be economically or environmentally impractical.Copper Leaching and Microbial CatalysisIn copper bioleaching, crushed ore is arranged into heaps and irrigated with a dilute sulfuric...

Bioreactor Design and Operational System

Bioreactor Design and Operational System

Bioreactors are engineered vessels designed to cultivate microorganisms under controlled conditions for industrial bioprocessing. They maintain sterility and allow precise regulation of pH, temperature, oxygen, and nutrient levels to optimize microbial growth and metabolite production. Bioreactors range from small laboratory units of 1 liter to industrial systems holding up to 500,000 liters, though only about 75% of their volume is actively used for fermentation. The remaining headspace...

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

Chemolithotrophs are microorganisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic molecules such as hydrogen gas (H₂), ammonia (NH₃), reduced sulfur compounds (H₂S, S²⁻), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Unlike heterotrophic organisms that rely on organic carbon, chemolithotrophs transfer electrons from these inorganic donors to the electron transport chain (ETC), generating a proton motive force (PMF) that drives ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation.

Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium

Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium

Microorganisms play a critical role in the transformation and immobilization of uranium in contaminated environments through four main pathways: bioreduction, biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biomineralization. These mechanisms reduce uranium’s toxicity and prevent its migration through groundwater systems, offering sustainable approaches for in situ bioremediation.Bioreduction of UraniumBioreduction is driven by anaerobic bacteria such as certain strains of Geobacter and Shewanella,...

Microbial Mats

Microbial Mats

Microbial communities forming biofilms and mats represent complex, spatially structured ecosystems where metabolic processes are stratified according to light, oxygen, and nutrient gradients. Biofilms are initial colonization stages, only a few millimeters thick, while mature microbial mats can reach centimeter-scale thickness and display intricate vertical organization. Their structural and functional heterogeneity allows microorganisms to occupy distinct ecological niches within a few...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Effect of arsenic on nitrification of simulated mining water.

Bioresource technology·2014

Same author

Clinical correlates of cerebral diffusion tensor imaging findings in chronic traumatic spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord·2014

Same author

Fluidized-bed denitrification for mine waters. Part II: effects of Ni and Co.

Biodegradation·2013

Same author

Dysphagia and dysphonia among persons with post-polio syndrome - a challenge in neurorehabilitation.

Acta neurologica Scandinavica·2010

Same author

S100B is not a reliable prognostic index in paediatric TBI.

Pediatric neurosurgery·2007

Same author

Cannabidiol in vivo blunts beta-amyloid induced neuroinflammation by suppressing IL-1beta and iNOS expression.

British journal of pharmacology·2007

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 2026

Estimating Sediment Denitrification Rates Using Cores and N2O Microsensors

Estimating Sediment Denitrification Rates Using Cores and N2O Microsensors

Published on: December 6, 2018

Fluidized-bed denitrification for mine waters. Part I: low pH and temperature operation.

S Papirio¹, A Ylinen, G Zou

¹Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Tampere University of Technology, P.O. Box 541, 33101, Tampere, Finland, stefano.papirio@tut.fi.

|October 30, 2013

Summary

This study shows that fluidized-bed reactors can effectively remove nitrate from acidic mining wastewater, even with low temperatures. Iron stimulates this process, while copper inhibits it, identifying key factors for bioremediation.

More Related Videos

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

Published on: October 7, 2020

Continuously-stirred Anaerobic Digester to Convert Organic Wastes into Biogas: System Setup and Basic Operation

Continuously-stirred Anaerobic Digester to Convert Organic Wastes into Biogas: System Setup and Basic Operation

Published on: July 13, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 6, 2026

Estimating Sediment Denitrification Rates Using Cores and N2O Microsensors

Estimating Sediment Denitrification Rates Using Cores and N2O Microsensors

Published on: December 6, 2018

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

Published on: October 7, 2020

Continuously-stirred Anaerobic Digester to Convert Organic Wastes into Biogas: System Setup and Basic Operation

Continuously-stirred Anaerobic Digester to Convert Organic Wastes into Biogas: System Setup and Basic Operation

Published on: July 13, 2012

Area of Science:

Environmental Microbiology
Bioremediation Engineering

Background:

Mining activities frequently contaminate water resources with nitrates and heavy metals.
Acidic conditions and contaminants pose challenges for effective water treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the denitrification of acidic water using up-flow fluidized-bed reactors (FBRs).
To assess the impact of temperature, pH, ethanol, iron, and copper on denitrification efficiency.

Main Methods:

Utilized two up-flow fluidized-bed reactors (FBRs) with bacterial communities enriched on ethanol and nitrate.
Conducted batch assays to determine the effects of pH, temperature, ethanol/nitrate ratios, iron, and copper.
Employed polymerase chain reaction-denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) to identify microbial communities.

Main Results:

FBRs enabled denitrification at pH 2.5 and 7-8 °C, overcoming inhibition seen at pH 4.8 in batch tests.
Excess ethanol ensured nitrate removal and pH neutralization.
Iron (up to 100 mg/L) stimulated denitrification, while copper (0.7 mg/L) caused significant inhibition.
Identified Dechloromonas denitrificans and Hydrogenophaga caeni as key nitrate-reducing bacteria.

Conclusions:

Fluidized-bed reactors are effective for treating acidic, nitrate-contaminated water from mining.
Optimizing ethanol supply and understanding metal ion effects are crucial for bioremediation success.
Specific bacterial species play a vital role in nitrate removal under challenging conditions.