Geomicrobiology of Used and Disused Mines in Britain

摘要

Several used and disused mines in Britain have been analysed for microbial presence, content and activity. The sites sampled are located in Cornwall, Derbyshire and Cumbria. The mines in Cornwall can be called 'working' and were being operated at the time of sampling. The mine in Derbyshire was disused until recently re-opened by cavers while the mines in Cumbria had remained closed up to the time of sampling. Waters and solid materials have been sampled where detailed microbiology has been undertaken. In Cumbria a detailed description of structures of biological interest was carried out. Both heterotrophic and autotrophic microorganisms have been found in some waters and on mine walls. The actual content of each mine is different according to local conditions and chemistries. The results of the microbiological analyses are given. The origin of these microorganisms cannot be determined although it is likely that they have been introduced by water running down mine shafts from surface strata and/or from excavation processes. Activity measurements have shown that waters in some mines are organic carbon limited. There are indications from the working mines that such carbon would be available from autotrophic populations present within the ecosystem or from backfill material. (Atomindex citation 16:055004)