Mônica Cristina Teixeira

Manganese and limestone interactions during mine water treatment.

Manganese removal from mining-affected waters is an important challenge for the mining industry. Addressed herein is this issue in both batch and continuous conditions. Batch experiments were carried out with synthetic solutions, at 23+/-2 degrees C, initial pH 5.5 and 8.3 g limestone/L. Similarly, continuous tests were performed with a 16.5 mg/L Mn(2+) mine water, at 23 degrees C, initial pH 8.0 and 20.8 g limestone/L. Calcite limestone gave the best results and its fine grinding proved to the most effective parameter for manganese removal. In either synthetic solutions or industrial effluents, the final manganese concentration was below 1 mg/L. A change in limestone surface zeta potential is observed after manganese removal and manganese carbonate formation was suggested by IR spectroscopy. The conclusion is that limestone can remove manganese from industrial effluents for values that comply with environmental regulations.

Microbial Diversity in a Brazilian Acid Moderate Drainage and Experimental Nickel Bioleaching System

The aim of this work was to determine the microbial diversity of the acid mine drainage (AMD) material collected at an abandoned pyrite mine in Ouro Preto, Brazil. AMD samples were compared to a nickel sulfide column bioleaching pregnant solution which was used as reference. Fluorescent in situ hybridization analyses (FISH) and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) were used. FISH analysis was carried out using specific 16S rRNA probes. The extracted DNA was amplified using universal primers for bacterial 16S rRNA genes and analyzed by DGGE. Acidithiobacillus. ferrooxidans was not detected in AMD samples. However, the presence of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans was confirmed. In other hand, in the bioleaching tanks samples studied, both bacteria species were detected. The non-identified DNA bands were cloned and sequenced for complete characterization.

Bio)Precipitation of Trivalent Arsenic Using an Anaerobic Bioreactor

This study aims to build and operate an experimental system to observe the metabolic activity of a mixed culture of SRB on removing sulphate and arsenic (AsIII). The experimental apparatus was operated semi-continuously. The synthetic medium utilized was modified Postgate C increased with a NaAsO2 solution (As concentrations ranging from 2 to 8 mg/L). Powdered chicken feathers (PCF) was used as nutrient and solid support for microbial growth. It is a cheap waste material produced by poultry industry and it was previously studied for As biosorption. Growth parameters analyzed were pH, Eh, sulphate and As(III) concentration. After 6 months of operation, As was introduced into the system, initially 2mg.L-1. The main results obtained are: pH changes were quit negligible, varying between 7 and 8, Eh decayed to a maximum of -400 eV, compatible with a reducing condition. Sulphate removal was of about 80%, and up to 90% of the arsenic was removed from the system. The methodology here presented is effective and innovative since arsenic is removed without any oxidation step. Considering the low cost of the waste material some operation costs may be reduced.

Effects of Different COD/Sulfate Ratios on the Growth of Metal Tolerant Sulfate Reducing Bacteria (SRB)

Sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) can be used as an alternative biotechnology to promote passive treatment of industrial effluents. Treatment efficiency however depends on pH and metals content of the effluent and also on the quantity of organic matter available. As COD/sulfate ratio varies, sulfate consumption changes. It is commonly assumed that the ideal COD/sulfate ratio is around 0.67. The aim of this work was to optimize the growth and sulfate reduction capacity of mixed bacterial cultures. Samples were cultured using modified Postgate C medium. Metals (Cu, Mn and Ni) were added to the medium in order to study bacterial resistance. Maximum sulfate reducing (98%) was achieved for lactate containing medium, pH 7.0. However, with ethanol containing medium sulfate removal was of about 50%. Acetate production was observed in all cases. Results shown that lactate was more efficient than ethanol for sulfate biological reduction and pH neutralization.

Data set on the bioprecipitation of sulfate and trivalent arsenic by acidophilic non-traditional sulfur reducing bacteria

Data presented here are related to the original paper “Simultaneous removal of sulfate and arsenic using immobilized non-traditional sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) mixed culture and alternative low-cost carbon sources” published by same authors (Matos et al., 2018) [1]. The data set here presented aims to facilitate this paper comprehension by giving readers some additional information. Data set includes a brief description of experimental conditions and the results obtained during both batch and semi-continuous reactors experiments. Data confirmed arsenic and sulfate were simultaneously removed under acidic pH by using a biological treatment based on the activity of a non-traditional sulfur reducing bacteria consortium. This microbial consortium was able to utilize glycerol, powdered chicken feathers as carbon donors, and proved to be resistant to arsenite up to 8.0 mg L−1. Data related to sulfate and arsenic removal efficiencies, residual arsenite and sulfate contents, pH and Eh measurements obtained under different experimental conditions were depicted in graphical format. Refers to https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.11.035

Eficácia da descontaminação de resíduos biológicos infectantes de laboratórios de microbiologia após tratamento térmico por autoclavação

Laboratory studies were performed at the Central Laboratory of Public Health of Minas Gerais in order to validate the process of infectious waste decontamination (subgroup A1) from the public health service and identify possible flaws in the procedure preliminary to its final disposal. We evaluated both the decontamination of disposable waste packed in thermo-resistant plastic bags as well and the decontamination process of reusable waste from the Tuberculosis Laboratory packed in metallic boxes. The results of the first study indicated a significant deficiency in waste treatment, while in the second case efficacy was demonstrated. Preventive and corrective measures were proposed and adopted as a result of this work and are described herein.

Identification of a Bacterial Consortium with Biotechnological Potential for Arsenic Bioremediation

The objective of this work was to identify one bacterial consortium adapted to the cultivation in the presence of trivalent arsenic (AsIII). Samples were cultured in flasks containing modified Postgate C liquid medium (selective for sulfate-reducing bacteria, SRB). Six different As concentrations were used: 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0 and 16 mg l-1. The growth of sulfate reducing microorganisms was indirectly observed by the formation of an iron sulfide black precipitate and also by the Eh measures.100 ml aliquots of cultured media were centrifuged and stored at-20°C for DNA extraction by phenol/chloroform method. Universal primers 968F-GC 1392R (Bacteria domain) were used for 16S ribosomal DNA amplification. Microbial diversity was evaluated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). After DGGE analysis 7 different bands were selected, cut, sequenced and analyzed using the Ribosomal Database Project Release. Consortium microorganisms identified were: Pantoea agglomerans, Enterobacter sp, Citrobacter sp, Cupriavidusmetallidurans, Ralstonia sp, Burkholderia cepacia and Bacillus sp. Thus the microbial consortium here identified is a good candidate for bioremediation of arsenic contaminated areas and effluents.

Influence of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria on the Mobility of Arsenic in Soils an "In Vitro" Study

Ouro Preto/MG/Brazil soils are rich in arsenic containing minerals that once solubilized may contaminate water or food. Arsenic (As) is toxic if ingested or inhaled. Microorganisms and organic matter plays an important role in the dynamics of As in soils and sediments affecting its mobilization. Aims: to study the mobility of arsenic in the presence of organic matter and sulfur reducing bacteria (SRB) and also to obtain some As resistant bacterial cultures. Materials: Soil samples were collected from abandoned gold mines named Old Mine, Chico Rei and Santa Rita. As content in solid samples were in a range of 465 to 1829 mg Kg-1. Soil samples (5 g) were mixed with 35 ml of 2.5 M, CaCl2, stirred (5 min) and allowed to rest at 21.0°C for 1, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. Other set of experiments were prepared following the previous procedure with some modifications: (i) group 1, flasks with bacterial inoculum (4 ml) from an enrichment of 5 g of soil and 45 ml of liquid medium B Postgate, pH 7.0, incubated at 35°C under anaerobic conditions; (ii) group 2, flasks with (5 g) of organic matter with As (III) adsorptive capacity (powdered chicken feathers - PCF), and (iii) group 3, flasks containing bacterial inoculum and organic matter. Results: As solubility was inversely proportional to time and depends on Fe and Mn contents. The influence of microorganisms on As immobilization was more relevant than the presence of organic matter. Surprisingly, in some cases, As solubility enhanced in the presence of PCF besides its As adsorptive capacity. One microbial consortium adapted to the culturing at pH 5.0 was obtained and this is an interesting feature considering the acid pH of the studied arsenic soils. Indigenous bacteria phenotypically similar to SRB may contribute to As immobilization in natural or impacted environment.

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria in a Brazilian Acid Mine Drainage

Acid mine drainage (AMD) waters are highly acidic (pH < 4), contain high concentrations of sulfate and dissolved metals, and are very toxic to many living organisms. The development of technologies to treat sulfate contaminated wastewaters by using sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) has produced a cost-effective route to treat AMD. Notwithstanding, the SRB sensitivity to acid limits their use in AMD remediation. In the current study, acidophilic strains of SRB were isolated from an AMD followed by their molecular characterization. One SRB-culture was able to grow at pH 4.5 in Postgate C modified medium containing ethanol as carbon source, indicating that such bacterium has the potential for the bioremediation of acidic waters. Following, the strains were characterized by molecular biology techniques. The characterization was done by PCR amplification, cloning and sequencing of the genes coding for parts of the alpha and beta subunits of dissimilatory sulfite reductase (dsrAB) and hydrogenase (hyd), which encode key enzymes of the SRB energy metabolism. Phylogenetic analysis suggested a line of SRB descent from the delta-Proteobacteria among the strains identified as Desulfovibrio fructosovorans.