Development of a passive bioremediation process based on sulfate-reduction to treat arsenic-containing acidic mine water

摘要

Arsenic (As) is one of the priority pollutants commonly associated with mine tailings and Acid Mine Drainages (AMD). A bioprocess based on the activity of acido-tolerant Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB) was studied at laboratory scale in order to precipitate As sulfide. Enrichments of SRB were obtained from sediments of Carnoulès mining site in France. The enriched SRB-containing community was used to inoculate a bioreactor subsequently fed with a synthetic solution, its composition miming that of the Carnoulès AMD. The substrates were immobilized inside the bioreactor in order to treat water in a passive way. Results show the feasibility of selective precipitation of As versus iron in a passive bioreactor fed with AMD.