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Recent Developments for Remediating Acidic Mine Waters Using Sulfidogenic Bacteria
Ivan Nancucheo1, José A P Bitencourt2, Prafulla K Sahoo2
1Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastián, Lientur 1457, 4080871 Concepción, Chile.
Biomed Research International
|November 10, 2017
Summary
Recovering metals from acidic mine drainage (AMD) using sulfidogenic bacteria offers a sustainable solution. This approach remediates AMD while selectively recovering valuable metals, reducing environmental risks and costs associated with traditional treatments.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Acidic mine drainage (AMD) is a significant environmental pollutant containing high concentrations of dissolved metals.
- Traditional remediation methods like lime treatment have limitations in metal recovery and sludge disposal.
- Diminishing metal resources necessitate sustainable recovery initiatives from sources like AMD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of controlled biomineralization for selective metal recovery from AMD.
- To evaluate recent approaches using low sulfidogenic bioreactors for AMD remediation and metal sulfide recovery.
- To highlight the efficiency and drawbacks of microbial treatments for AMD.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing sulfidogenic bacteria for controlled biomineralization and metal sulfide precipitation.
- Implementing low sulfidogenic bioreactors for AMD treatment.
- Analyzing the efficiency and limitations of these bioreactor systems.
Main Results:
- Sulfidogenic bioreactors demonstrate potential for both remediation and selective recovery of metal sulfides from AMD.
- This biological approach offers cost reduction and lower environmental risks compared to chemical treatments.
- Understanding acid-tolerant sulfidogenic bacteria is key to developing novel AMD treatment strategies.
Conclusions:
- Controlled biomineralization using sulfidogenic bacteria presents an advantageous method for AMD remediation and metal recovery.
- Further research into novel acidophilic and acid-tolerant sulfidogenic microorganisms can enhance AMD treatment efficacy.
- This sustainable initiative addresses metal resource scarcity and environmental pollution challenges.
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