title: Heavy Metal Pollution from Gold Mines: Environmental Effects and Bacterial Strategies for Resistance.
abstract: Mining activities can lead to the generation of large quantities of heavy metal laden wastes which are released in an uncontrolled manner, causing widespread contamination of the ecosystem. Though some heavy metals classified as essential are important for normal life physiological processes, higher concentrations above stipulated levels have deleterious effects on human health and biota. Bacteria able to withstand high concentrations of these heavy metals are found in the environment as a result of various inherent biochemical, physiological, and/or genetic mechanisms. These mechanisms can serve as potential tools for bioremediation of heavy metal polluted sites. This review focuses on the effects of heavy metal wastes generated from gold mining activities on the environment and the various mechanisms used by bacteria to counteract the effect of these heavy metals in their immediate environment.
authors: Food Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa. 24804460@nwu.ac.za.
authors: Muibat Omotola
authors: MO
authors: Fashola
authors: Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, UNISA, Florida, Private Bag X6 Florida, Roodepoort 1710, South Africa. vm.ngole@gmail.com.
authors: Veronica Mpode
authors: VM
authors: Ngole-Jeme
authors: Food Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa. olubukola.babalola@nwu.ac.za.
authors: Olubukola Oluranti
authors: OO
authors: Babalola
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006046:Gold; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008906:Mining
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D006046:Gold
keywords: bioremediation; environmental pollution; metal toxicity; mine wastes