Selective removal of transition metals from acidic mine waters by novel consortia of acidophilic sulfidogenic bacteria

摘要: Summary Two continuous-flow bench-scale bioreactor systems populated by mixed communities of acidophilic sulfate-reducing bacteria were constructed and tested for their abilities to promote the selective precipitation transition metals (as sulfides) present in synthetic mine waters, using glycerol as electron donor. The objective with first system (selective copper from acidic water containing a variety soluble metals) was achieved maintaining pH ~2.2-2.5. second fed (pH 2.5) 3 mM both zinc ferrous iron, varying con- centrations (0.5-30 mM) aluminium. Selective pre- cipitation sulfide possible operating at 4.0 supplementing 4 glycerol. Analysis micro- bial populations bioreactors showed that they changed operational parameters, novel (including one sulfidogen) isolated bioreactors. sulfidogenic provided 'proof principle' segregation waters is simple online within which controlled conditions are maintained. modular units versatile robust, involve minimum engineering complexity.