Laboratory scale bioremediation of acid mine water drainage from a disused tin mine.
Real acidic mine-water drainage was seeded with Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans to catalyse the removal of iron contained therein. The addition of At. ferrooxidans increased metal precipitation kinetics and decreased the water iron content by approximately 70%. Supplementing non-sterile mine water with a bacterial growth medium accelerated metal removal by indigenous micro-organisms both at the 500 ml shake-flask and 5 l bioreactor scale.
Darkwah
Lawrence
L
Centre for Formulation Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, School of Engineering (Chemical Engineering), The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK.
Rowson
Neil A
NA
Hewitt
Christopher J
CJ
D000143:Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008906:Mining; D014001:Tin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*; D018508:Water Purification
D000143:Acids; D007220:Industrial Waste; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014001:Tin