The degradation of lignocellulose in a chemically and biologically generated sulphidic environment.
Acid mine drainage waters are characterised by a low pH, high concentrations of heavy metals, high levels of sulphate salts and low concentrations of organic material. The biological treatment of these waters has been a subject of increasing focus as an alternative to physico-chemical treatment. The utilisation of lignocellulose as a carbon source has been restricted by the amount of reducing equivalents available within the lignocellulose matrix. This present study demonstrated that lignocellulose could be utilised as a carbon source for sulphate reduction. It was shown that the initial reduction of sulphate observed using lignocellulose as a carbon source was due to the easily extractable components. This degradation resulted in the production of sulphide ( approximately 500 mg/l), which further aided in the degradation of lignin (observed as a release of aromatic compounds), allowing greater access to cellulose (and release of reducing sugars).
Roman
Henry
H
Environmental Biotechnology Research Unit, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa.
Madikane
Mzi
M
Pletschke
Brett I
BI
Rose
Peter D
PD
D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry*
D013440:Sulfides; C036909:lignocellulose; D002482:Cellulose; D008031:Lignin