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Cited by 142Metal Extraction and BioleachingMine drainage and remediation techniquesHeavy metals in environment

Role of Thiobacillus and sulfate-reducing bacteria in iron biocycling in oxic and acidic mine tailings

Fortin, D., Davis, B., Beveridge, T.J.·1996·FEMS Microbiology Ecology
DOI 10.1111/j.1574-6941.1996.tb00329.x
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Abstract

The tailings of the abandoned Kam Kotia mine (Cu–Zn ore) located near Timmins, Ontario, Canada, were studied to understand the role of bacteria in Fe cycling. Tailings samples taken along a 70 cm deep profile were oxidized and acidic (pH 2–4). The release of large concentrations of dissolved Fe and SO42− in the surface pore waters coincided with the presence of large populations of Thiobacillus, an acidophilic iron-oxidizing bacterium. The chemical and microbial oxidation by Thiobacillus of Fe-sulfides was extensive in the Kam Kotia tailings and corresponded to a near depletion of the pyrite content of the tailings around the same depth. Concurrently, de novo biomineralization occurred within the tailings as indicated by the enrichment of Fe-oxide minerals close to the tailings bacteria. Bacteria, such as Thiobacillus, provided binding sites for dissolved metal species and served as nucleation surfaces for the development of Fe-rich minerals under acidic conditions. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were also recovered in the tailings, in the lower portion of the profile where slightly oxidizing and acidic (pH 3–4) conditions prevailed. SRB possibly survived in microenvironments having more reduced and alkaline conditions because they did not tolerate oxidizing and acidic conditions when grown in the presence of different electron donors in the laboratory. However, SRB isolated from the tailings were able to grow with low concentrations of organic carbon, formate and acetate detected at concentrations lower than 1 mM in the pore waters appeared to be the main electron donors for SRB. These organic acids likely originated as small metabolic excretion products of living biomass or from the degradation of dead biomass (e.g. Fe-oxidizing bacteria) present in the tailings. SRB locally affected the cycling of Fe in the tailings by promoting the formation of small amounts of Fe-monosulfides. However, the cycling of Fe in the lower portion of the tailings was mainly driven by the precipitation of melanterite (FeSO4.7H2O) following the oxidation of pyrite and the release of large amounts of dissolved Fe and SO42−.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1574-6941.1996.tb00329.x

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  • Sulfidic materials provide an ideal habitat for acid-generating microbes that greatly accelerate the generation of sulfuric acid for mineral dissolution and metal leaching.

    “These sulfidic materials provide an ideal habitat for acid-generating microbes (e.g., Acidithiobacillus spp.) that greatly accelerate the generation of sulfuric acid for mineral dissolution and metal leaching [62][63][64][65].”

    From Strategizing carbon-neutral mines: A case for pilot projects (2014) · cites this paper as [62]

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Authors
Fortin, D., Davis, B., & Beveridge, T. J.
Affiliations
University of Guelph (CA)
Corresponding author
Beveridge, T.J.
ORCID
Fortin, D.
Venue
FEMS Microbiology Ecology
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
1996-09
Volume
21
Issue
1
Pages
11-24
ISSN
  • 0168-6496 (ISSN-L)
  • 1574-6941
DOI
10.1111/j.1574-6941.1996.tb00329.x
OpenAlex
W2087886417
Cited by
142
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 5
FWCI
2.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
FEMS Microbiology Ecology (publishedVersion)
Funders
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Metal Extraction and Bioleaching
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Mine drainage and remediation techniques
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Heavy metals in environment
Keywords
Thiobacillus, sulfate-reducing bacteria, mine tailings, pyrite oxidation, biomineralization, melanterite, electron donors, copper-zinc ore

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