Application of Sulphate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB) in acid mine drainage bioremediation

Abstract

 

Oxidizing metallic Sulphide minerals, particularly pyrite and pyrotite, and subsequently forming acid mine drainage (AMD), contain high concentration metallic ions, sulphates and salts, is one of the most perilous long-term environmental problems in mining industry. In conventional chemical treatment system, lime has been used for AMD neutralization. Lime is expensive material and it is consequently produced high contents of chalky sludge which contains heavy metals. Sulphate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB) capable to produce hydrogen sulfide and bicarbonate when supplied with sources of carbon and sulfate. Hydrogen sulfide reacts with metal ions in AMD and precipitating them as metal sulfides. The bicarbonate can be help to neutralize the drainage quickly. In this paper a comprehensive review on SRB characters, effective factors, and principles in bioreactors planning, with its application in Central Alborz coal mine were discussed. Application of this newly developed system has proved its success in coal mining industry.