title: Biodegradation of free cyanide by bacterial species isolated from cyanide-contaminated artisanal gold mining catchment area in Burkina Faso.
abstract: Soil and water samples were collected from a watershed in Burkina Faso where illegal artisanal gold extraction using cyanidation occurs. The samples were used to evaluate cyanide contamination and the presence of cyanide degrading bacteria (CDB). Free cyanide (F-CN) was detected in all samples, with concentrations varying from 0.023 to 0.9 mg kg(-1), and 0.7-23 μg L(-1) in the soil and water samples, respectively. Potential CDB also were present in the samples. To test the effective F-CN degradation capacity of the isolated CDB species, the species were cultivated in growth media containing 40, 60 or 80 mg F-CN L(-1), with or without nutrients, at pH 9.5 and at room temperature. More than 95% of F-CN was degraded within 25 h, and F-CN degradation was associated with bacterial growth and ammonium production. However, initial concentrations of F-CN higher than 100 mg L(-1) inhibited bacterial growth and cyanide degradation. Abiotic tests showed that less than 3% of F-CN was removed by volatilization. Thus, the degradation of F-CN occurred predominately by biological mechanisms, and such mechanisms are recommended for remediation of contaminated soil and water. The bacteria consortium used in the experiment described above exist in a Sahelian climate, which is characterized by a long hot and dry season. Because the bacteria are already adapted to the local climate conditions and show the potential for cyanide biodegradation, further applicability to other contaminated areas in West Africa, where illegal gold cyanidation is widespread, should be explored.
authors.affiliation: International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE), Department of Water and Sanitary Engineering, Laboratory of Water, Decontamination, Ecosystem and Health (LEDES), 01 PO Box 594, 01, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Electronic address: c.razanamahandry@2ie-edu.org.
authors.forename: Lovasoa Christine
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Razanamahandry
authors.affiliation: International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE), Department of Water and Sanitary Engineering, Laboratory of Water, Decontamination, Ecosystem and Health (LEDES), 01 PO Box 594, 01, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Harinaivo Anderson
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Andrianisa
authors.affiliation: International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE), Department of Water and Sanitary Engineering, Laboratory of Water, Decontamination, Ecosystem and Health (LEDES), 01 PO Box 594, 01, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Hela
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karoui
authors.affiliation: International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE), Department of Water and Sanitary Engineering, Laboratory of Water, Decontamination, Ecosystem and Health (LEDES), 01 PO Box 594, 01, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Koffi Marcelin
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kouakou
authors.affiliation: International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE), Laboratory of Water Resource and Hydrology (LEAH), 01 PO Box 594, 01, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Hamma
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yacouba
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002050:Burkina Faso; D003485:Cyanates; D003486:Cyanides / Q000378:metabolism*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000032:analysis; D006046:Gold; D008906:Mining; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D003485:Cyanates; D003486:Cyanides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C043041:gold cyanide; D006046:Gold
keywords: Bioremediation; Contamination; Cyanide; Soil; Water