Occurrence and Activity of Iron and Sulfur-Oxidizing Microorganisms in Alkaline Coal Strip Mine Spoils

摘要

Spoils samples collected from a coal strip mine in southeastern Montana were examined for populations and activities of iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. Spoils examined were of three types: (1) acidic pyrite-rich waste coal, (2) oxidation halo material, and (3) alkaline, which was the most widespread type. Bacterial numbers, sulfur oxidation, and 14CO2 uptake activity declined to low levels in the summer when spoils were dry. Even in wetter spring months pyritic spoils contained relatively low numbers of acidophilic iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, probably indicative of water stress since the same spoils incubated with excess water or dilute mineral salts showed considerably greater bacterial numbers and activity. Certain wells in coal and spoils aquifers contained substantial populations of iron-oxidizing acidophilic bacteria. However, these wells were always of alkaline or neutral pH indicating that bacterial pyrite oxidation occurred in localized areas where groundwaters contacted either replaced spoils or coal which contained either pyrite or other metal sulfides. Bacterial activity may contribute to trace metal and sulfate leaching which occur in the area.