Effects of pH reduction on prokaryotic community dynamics and assembly mechanisms in acid mine drainage bioreactors
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB)-based methods are effective and cost-efficient for treating acid mine drainage (AMD), but the low pH of AMD poses significant challenges, as most SRB thrive at pH 6 to 8. This study investigated prokaryotic community responses in SRB bioreactors to pH reductions from 5.5 to 2.5, offering insights into their robustness and underlying mechanisms.These findings advance the understanding of SRB-based technologies and their application in treating highly acidic AMD.