2001 Lau, P.C.K., H. Bergeron and M. Kalin, “Bacterial Consortia in a Ground Water Plume from acid Generating Tailings” 37 1 Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Waste Processing and Recycling in Mineral and Metallurgical Industries, MET SOC 40th Annual Conference of Metallurgists of CIM, “Waste Processing and Recycling in Mineral and Metallurgical Industries IV”, Toronto, August 26-29, pp. 371-379.
Bacterial Consortia in a Ground Water Plume from Acid Generating Tailings
P. C. K. Lau and H. Bergeron, Biotechnology Research Imtitute, 6100 Royalmount Ave,, Mowreal, Quebec CaMda H4P 2R2 e-mail: perer.lau@nrc. ca
M.Kalin, Boojwn Technologies Ltd., 468 Queen St. E., Ste 101, Toronto, Ontario, CaMdo MSA I T 7 e-mail:
[email protected] ABSTRACT
Culture conditions to identify the presence of microbes in highly contaminated ground water plumes are difficult to define and to be maintained in the laboratory. Bacterial populations are affecting ground water conditions and they are instrumental in in-siru treatment of contaminated ground water. The presence of bacteria and their effective classification in highly metal contaminated and reactive ground water has been addressed through the use of molecular analysis ushg 16s rDNA sequencing. This method was tested on a ground water plume originating from a pyritic tailings deposit containing up to 21 10 mg/l Fe, 1350mgA S and 148 mg/l Zn. The results revealed the usefulness of the application of 16s rDNA and an unexpected diversity with 105 different bacterial DNA sequences were identified. 18 sequences are highly probable candidates inhabiting this harsh ground water plume environment.
M SOC ,*.ET
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WASTE PROCESSING AND RECYCLING IV
01 Lau, P.C.K., H. Bergeron and M. Kalin, “Bacterial Consortia in a Ground Water Plume from acid Generating Tailings” oceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Waste Processing and Recycling in Mineral and Metallurgical Industries, ET SOC 40th Annual Conference of Metallurgists of CIM, “Waste Processing and Recycling in Mineral and Metallurgical Industries IV”, Toronto, August 26-29, pp. 371-37
INTRODUCTION Groundwater seepage originating from pyrite mining wastes (tailing ponds, waste rock piles and mine workings) will likely at one point emerge as surface water. It is proposed to treat the seepage while it is contaminated groundwater resulting in discharge of greatly reduced contaminants to surface waters. A priori, knowledge and identification of the microbial consortia which are present in the groundwater seepage path will be essential. Traditional approach of culturing bacteria is not sufficient in the description of microbial community structure to any significant extent. Hence environmental diversity is way underrepresented by culturable diversity ('. 'I. A molecular approach to assessing microbial diversity using ribosomal RNA-based method (16s rDNA) is a novel and significant first step for its application to the ever-increasing important acid mine drainage problem'". It is envisaged that qeatment approaches can be formulated based on initial assessments not only on the microbial community but the activities present. This study deals with a molecular analysis of the bacterial consortia in five water samples collected from sites, M28, M39A, M60A, M63 and M80 as described above. Table I - Composition of Ground Water (1996)
Parameter (mgil) Depth (m) PH Conductivity ($Vcm) Eh (mv) Acidity
Al Ca Fe K Mg Mn Na S Sr Zn
c1 so,
Anion Sum Cation Sum Ion Balance Hardness Tfcasc TOC
M28 17 6.84 610 240 77.1 0.077 123 1.34 6 9.34 0.202 5.19 35.1 0.16 0.039
