title: Interactions of the metal tolerant heterotrophic microorganisms and iron oxidizing autotrophic bacteria from sulphidic mine environment during bioleaching experiments.
abstract: Iron and sulfur oxidizing chemolithoautotrophic acidophilic bacteria, such as Acidithiobacillus species, hold the dominant role in mine environments characterized by low pH values and high concentrations of reduced sulfur and iron compounds, such as ores, rocks and acid drainage waters from mines. On the other hand, heterotrophic microorganisms, especially their biofilms, from these specific niches are receiving increased attention, but their potential eco-physiological roles have not been fully understood. Biofilms are considered a threat to human health, but biofilms also have beneficial properties as they are deployed in waste recycling and bioremediation systems. We have analyzed interactions of the metal tolerant heterotrophic microorganisms in biofilms with iron oxidizing autotrophic bacteria both from the sulphidic mine environment (copper mine Bor, Serbia). High tolerance to Cu(2+), Cd(2+) and Cr(6+) and the presence of genetic determinants for the respective metal tolerance and biofilm-forming ability was shown for indigenous heterotrophic bacteria that included strains of Staphylococcus and Rhodococcus. Two well characterized bacteria- Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 (known biofilm former) and Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 (known metal resistant representative) were also included in the study. The interaction and survivability of autotrophic iron oxidizing Acidithiobacillus bacteria and biofilms of heterotrophic bacteria during co-cultivation was revealed. Finally, the effect of heterotrophic biofilms on bioleaching process with indigenous iron oxidizing Acidithiobacillus species was shown not to be inhibitory under in vitro conditions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 23, 11010 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Sanja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jeremic
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 51, 11158 Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: vbeskoski@chem.bg.ac.rs.
authors.forename: Vladimir P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Beškoski
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 23, 11010 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Lidija
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Djokic
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 23, 11010 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Branka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vasiljevic
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 51, 11158 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Miroslav M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Vrvić
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 473, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Avdalović
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 473, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gojgić Cvijović
authors.affiliation: Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11522 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Latinka Slavković
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Beškoski
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 23, 11010 Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: jasmina.nikodinovic@imgge.bg.ac.rs.
authors.forename: Jasmina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nikodinovic-Runic
mesh_terms: D042763:Acidithiobacillus / Q000378:metabolism*; D052818:Autotrophic Processes; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018441:Biofilms; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000382:microbiology; D052836:Heterotrophic Processes; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008906:Mining; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D055771:Serbia; D013455:Sulfur / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D013455:Sulfur; D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron
keywords: Autotrophic iron oxidizing Acidithiobacillus sp; Biofilms; Bioleaching; Bioremediation; Heavy metals