Diversity of Acidophilic Bacteria and Archaea and their Roles in Bioremediation of Acid Mine Drainage
Journal Title: Microbiology Research Journal International - Year 2015, Vol 8, Issue 3
Abstract
Aims: To show the potential of acidophilic bacteria and archaea in bioremediation of acid mine drainage. The Mining industry generates wealth, but its long term adverse effects, which include acid mine drainage (AMD), cannot be overlooked. Acid mine drainage occurs as a result of biological and chemical oxidation of sulphide containing minerals with consequent production of acidic metal rich effluents. AMD is a serious environmental pollution problem in both active and abandoned mines worldwide, resulting in continual contamination of surface and groundwater resources with heavy metals. Acidophilic bacteria and archaea have been known to contribute to the accentuation of this problem by speeding up the reaction time for biological oxidation of sulphide containing mineral waste rock. The dominant metal present in AMD is iron with high sulphate content; the iron may be present in either ferrous or ferric form or both depending on the water pH. Reduction of these two important constituents by generating alkalinity through chemical or biological means has been reported to have a significant effect in AMD impacted water. The metabolic activities of the acidophilic bacteria and archaea through ferric iron and sulphate reduction, a natural attenuation process, also help in remediating this pollution problem by generating alkalinity that immobilizes metals thereby reversing the reactions responsible for the genesis of AMD. This article reviews the various groups of the acidophilic prokaryotic microorganisms and their metabolic activities that help in remediating the problem of AMD in gold mines.
Authors and Affiliations
Muibat Omotola Fashola, Veronica Mpode Ngole-Jeme, Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP354445
- DOI 10.9734/BMRJ/2015/14365
- Views 93
- Downloads 0
Isolation, Characterization and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum from Infertile and Pregnant Women in Lagos, Nigeria
Background: Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum are potentially pathogenic agents, playing aetiologicroles in both genital infections and infertility. In human in-vitro fertilization systems, the presence of U....
Retro-respective Evaluation of New Fixed Dose Combination of Antibiotics in Management of Severe Skin and Soft Tissue Infections – A Comparative Pharmacoeconomic Study
Study Background: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are the second most common infection encountered in hospitals. Present study aims to comparatively analyze efficacy of new fixed dose combination (FDC) with teico...
Pulmonary Paragonimiasis and Aspergillosis in Patients Suspected of Tuberculosis in Yaounde, Cameroon
Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of paragonimiasis and aspergillosis in patients suspected of pulmonary tuberculosis in Yaounde. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of...
Isolation and Identification of Some Enterobacteria from Retailed Convenience Foods
Meat pie and Fish roll samples from five different local government areas (LGAs) in Ibadan, Nigeria were analysed microbiologically for presence of Enterobacteriaceae and other common food borne pathogens. Sampling was d...
Concomitant Detection of Biofilm Formation and MBL Production in Meropenem Resistant Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
The purpose of this study was to detect biofilm formation and to examine the correlation between biofilm and Metallo-β-lactamases (MBL) production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A total of 64 P. aeruginosa isolat...