Shafiei, F., Watts, M. P., Pajank, L. and Moreau, J. W. (2021) The effect of heavy metals on thiocyanate biodegradation by an autotrophic microbial consortium enriched from mine tailings. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 105(1), pp. 417-427. (doi: 10.1007/s00253-020-10983-4) (PMID:33263791)
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Abstract
Bioremediation systems represent an environmentally sustainable approach to degrading industrially generated thiocyanate (SCN−), with low energy demand and operational costs and high efficiency and substrate specificity. However, heavy metals present in mine tailings effluent may hamper process efficiency by poisoning thiocyanate-degrading microbial consortia. Here, we experimentally tested the tolerance of an autotrophic SCN−-degrading bacterial consortium enriched from gold mine tailings for Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, and As. All of the selected metals inhibited SCN− biodegradation to different extents, depending on concentration. At pH of 7.8 and 30 °C, complete inhibition of SCN− biodegradation by Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr occurred at 20, 5, 10, and 6 mg L−1, respectively. Lower concentrations of these metals decreased the rate of SCN− biodegradation, with relatively long lag times. Interestingly, the microbial consortium tolerated As even at 500 mg L−1, although both the rate and extent of SCN− biodegradation were affected. Potentially, the observed As tolerance could be explained by the origin of our microbial consortium in tailings derived from As-enriched gold ore (arsenopyrite). This study highlights the importance of considering metal co-contamination in bioreactor design and operation for SCN− bioremediation at mine sites.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Moreau, Dr John |
Authors: | Shafiei, F., Watts, M. P., Pajank, L., and Moreau, J. W. |
College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences > Earth Sciences |
Journal Name: | Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology |
Publisher: | Springer |
ISSN: | 0175-7598 |
ISSN (Online): | 1432-0614 |
Published Online: | 02 December 2020 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2020 The Authors |
First Published: | First published in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 105(1): 417-427 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence |
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