Biodegradation of thiocyanate by a native groundwater microbial consortium.

ABSTRACT: Gold ore processing typically generates large amounts of thiocyanate (SCN^-)-contaminated effluent. When this effluent is stored in unlined tailings dams, contamination of the underlying aquifer can occur. The potential for bioremediation of SCN^--contaminated groundwater, either in situ or ex situ, remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to enrich and characterise SCN^--degrading microorganisms from mining-contaminated groundwater under a range of culturing conditions. Mildly acidic and suboxic groundwater, containing ∼135 mg L^-1 SCN^-, was collected from an aquifer below an unlined tailings dam. An SCN^--degrading consortium was enriched from contaminated groundwater using combinatory amendments of air, glucose and phospha

SUBMITTER: Spurr LP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6440457 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature