Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Microbial Leaching01:27

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...
Acid Mine Drainage01:19

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 aquatic...
Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles01:24

Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles

Microbial activity plays a pivotal role in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and manganese, especially at the redox gradients characteristic of stratified aquatic environments. These cycles are driven by microbial transformations between oxidized and reduced forms of the metals, allowing organisms to exploit them for metabolic energy and structural purposes.Iron Cycling Across Redox GradientsIn neutral, oxygen-rich surface waters, iron is predominantly found in its oxidized, insoluble ferric...
Microbial Nutrition01:28

Microbial Nutrition

Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...
Deep Sea Microbial Ecology01:18

Deep Sea Microbial Ecology

The deep ocean and its underlying sediments represent vast, largely unexplored microbial habitats that extend far beyond the sunlit photic zone. The photic (euphotic) zone typically spans the upper ~100–200 meters of pelagic waters in the open ocean, but its depth varies geographically and seasonally, where sufficient light supports photosynthetic life. Below this lies the deep sea, spanning roughly 1000–6000 meters (bathypelagic to abyssal zones), with deeper hadal trenches extending beyond...
Microbial Corrosion01:24

Microbial Corrosion

Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is a significant form of material degradation caused by the metabolic activities of microorganisms. This phenomenon poses substantial challenges across various industries, including oil and gas, maritime, and water treatment sectors.MIC occurs when microorganisms, such as bacteria, archaea, and fungi, colonize metal surfaces, forming biofilms that alter the local electrochemical environment. These biofilms can lead to the production of corrosive...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

In Silico Genomic Analysis of Chloroplast DNA in Vitis <i>Vinifera</i> L.: Identification of Key Regions for DNA Coding.

Genes·2025
Same author

Profile of Bacterial Communities in Copper Mine Tailings Revealed through High-Throughput Sequencing.

Microorganisms·2024
Same author

Unraveling the Role of AtSRT2 in Energy Metabolism, Stress Responses, and Gene Expression during Osmotic Stress in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland)·2024
Same author

Beneficial Interactive Effects Provided by an Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Yeast on the Growth of <i>Oenothera picensis</i> Established on Cu Mine Tailings.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland)·2023
Same author

Compositional Changes in Sediment Microbiota Are Associated with Seasonal Variation of the Water Column in High-Altitude Hyperarid Andean Lake Systems.

Microbiology spectrum·2023
Same author

Study of Wetland Soils of the Salar de Atacama with Different Azonal Vegetative Formations Reveals Changes in the Microbiota Associated with Hygrophile Plant Type on the Soil Surface.

Microbiology spectrum·2022

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Bioprospecting of Extremophilic Microorganisms to Address Environmental Pollution
07:20

Bioprospecting of Extremophilic Microorganisms to Address Environmental Pollution

Published on: December 30, 2021

Metals and Extremophilic Bacteria in Mining Environments: A Systematic Review.

Joseline Jiménez-Venegas1,2, Leonardo Zamora-Leiva3, Celián Román-Figueroa3

  • 1Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Chile, Santa Rosa 11315, La Pintana, Santiago 8820808, Chile.

Microorganisms
|June 26, 2026
PubMed
Summary

This review identifies bacteria that can survive and clean up heavy metals like cadmium, chromium, and lead. These extremophilic bacteria show promise for environmental bioremediation, but more research is needed.

Keywords:
bioremediationbiotechnologymining tailings

More Related Videos

Using Flexible Gold-Titanium Reaction Cells to Simulate Pressure-Dependent Microbial Activity in the Context of Subsurface Biomining
13:11

Using Flexible Gold-Titanium Reaction Cells to Simulate Pressure-Dependent Microbial Activity in the Context of Subsurface Biomining

Published on: October 5, 2019

Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site
05:29

Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site

Published on: July 24, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Bioprospecting of Extremophilic Microorganisms to Address Environmental Pollution
07:20

Bioprospecting of Extremophilic Microorganisms to Address Environmental Pollution

Published on: December 30, 2021

Using Flexible Gold-Titanium Reaction Cells to Simulate Pressure-Dependent Microbial Activity in the Context of Subsurface Biomining
13:11

Using Flexible Gold-Titanium Reaction Cells to Simulate Pressure-Dependent Microbial Activity in the Context of Subsurface Biomining

Published on: October 5, 2019

Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site
05:29

Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site

Published on: July 24, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Bioremediation
  • Industrial Ecology

Background:

  • Industrial activities release hazardous heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn) into the environment.
  • Extremophilic and extremotolerant bacteria offer potential solutions for metal contamination.
  • Understanding bacterial roles in metal-rich environments is crucial for effective remediation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review extremophilic/extremotolerant bacteria for heavy metal remediation.
  • To identify bacteria capable of surviving and actively removing Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn.
  • To synthesize current knowledge on bacterial tolerance and remediation capacities.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative systematic review following PRISMA guidelines.
  • Searched Web of Science and Scopus databases (2000-2025).
  • Synthesized data on bacterial taxonomic levels, environmental conditions, and metal remediation functions.

Main Results:

  • Carnobacteriaceae, Cyclobacteriaceae, Erythrobacteraceae families show high metal tolerance in alkaline environments.
  • Acidithiobacillus, Phenobacterium, Microbulbifer, Roseobacter genera exhibit active remediation in acidic settings (bioleaching, precipitation, biosorption).
  • Bacillus subtilis and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans demonstrate dual tolerance and remediation capabilities.

Conclusions:

  • Distinct taxonomic groups possess specific roles in metal-rich environments.
  • Bacterial bioremediation strategies vary with environmental conditions (acidic vs. alkaline).
  • Methodological heterogeneity necessitates standardized validation for technological application.