Competition between Lactate Oxidisers and Fermenters under Biosulphidogenic Conditions: Implications in the Biological Treatment of AMD

Oyekanmi O. Oyekola; Robert P. van Hille; Susan T.L. Harrison

doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.71-73.689

Paper Titles

Biological Solubilisation of Metals from Solid Waste Materials from Copper, Steel and Recycling Industries
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Preliminary Study of Neutralization and Inhibition of Chemolitotrophic Bacteria in an Acid Mine Drainage from Rio Tinto Site
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Inhibition of Iron Oxidizing Bacteria Involved in the Generation of Acid Mine Drainage
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Process Decisions Focused on the Prevention of AMD Formation on Beneficiating Sulfide Minerals
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Competition between Lactate Oxidisers and Fermenters under Biosulphidogenic Conditions: Implications in the Biological Treatment of AMD
p.689

Sulfidogenesis at Low pH by Acidophilic Bacteria and its Potential for the Selective Recovery of Transition Metals from Mine Waters
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Comparison of Differently Remediated Hard Coal Overburden and Tailings Dumps: Conclusions a few Decades after Remediation
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Environmental Impact after 30 to 60 Years of Remediation: Microbial Investigation of Hard Coal Mining Dumps in Germany
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Phytoremediation as an Alternative Way for the Treatment of Large, Low Heavy Metal Contaminated Sites: Application at a Former Uranium Mining Area
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Competition between Lactate Oxidisers and Fermenters under Biosulphidogenic Conditions: Implications in the Biological Treatment of AMD

Abstract:

This study investigated the influence of culture conditions on the dominant metabolic pathways and resultant reaction stoichiometry, using chemostat cultures. The kinetic properties (max and Ks) under conditions dominated by either lactate oxidation or lactate fermentation were determined. These properties were used to simulate the competition between lactate fermentation and oxidation. Sulphate reduction and lactate utilisation were determined across residence times of 1 to 5 d and feed sulphate concentrations of 1.0 to 10.0 g l-1. Assuming lactate limitation, results revealed a lower maximal growth rate max of 0.2 h-1 and a higher affinity for lactate characterised by Ks of 0.6 g l-1 for the lactate oxidisers (SRB) than the lactate fermenters. The latter were characterised by a max of 0.3 h-1 and Ks of 3.3 g l-1. Modelling of the competition between lactate fermenters and lactate oxidisers illustrated that lactate oxidisers compete more effectively for lactate under conditions of low lactate concentration (≤5 g l-1) and high sulphide concentration (0.5 g l-1). On the other hand lactate fermenters outcompete the oxidisers under conditions of higher lactate concentration (>5 g l-1). Findings from this study show that in order to optimise BSR system, an understanding of the impact of physicochemical conditions on the metabolic dominance is critical.