Biological properties of extremely acidic cyanide-laced mining waste

Abstract

With respect to acidic, cyanide-laced tailings, the data about in situ toxicity and biological activity in highly polluted environment are often lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the microbial characteristics, composition of oribatid mite species, and level of genotoxic impact on plants in the area of inactive tailings pond (Horná Ves, Kremnica region). Sampling of the tailings, soils and selected plant species was carried out in spring of 2012. Trace element analysis (inductively coupled plasma emission and mass spectrometry) showed that concentration of Pb, Zn, and Cu in the tailings is approximately in thousands of ppm (mg kg(-1)). Amount of lead exceeded 16,000 mg kg(-1), which is perceived as the biggest threat with respect to possible toxicity. The risk is accentuated by extremely acidic pH of the tailings material which approached 2. In such conditions great mobility of (divalent) heavy metal cations is expected. The total cyanide concentration in the tailings was 472 mg kg(-1). Results of performed tests and measurements suggest that microbial activity at the tailings site (and its close environment) is hampered markedly. In the sludge material we detected low abundance of soil bacteria (2.08 × 10(4) CFU) and predominance of slowly growing K-strategists. On the other hand, the content of microbial C in the sludge sample was not too low, considering its extreme acidity and high amount of risk elements. In the same sample, just one mite species, Oppiella (O.) uliginosa (Willmann 1919), was identified. Also in case of the dam site the abundance of mites was considerably lower in comparison to reference sample. Values of Oribatida abundance were in positive correlation with values of microbial biomass carbon. Results of the pollen grain abortivity test, applied in situ on chosen plant species, indicated substantial presence of genotoxicity in the environment. Total induction index of tailings pond reached 3.59(±2.4) which expresses also total load of locality, comparing to natural biotope. In case of the technogenic sediment, the value was more than three times higher.

Alkaline Technosol contaminated by former mining activity and its culturable autochthonous microbiota

“…Relatively low values of the basal respiration of microorganisms (up to 31 μg/g of substrate) in all our samples were definitely caused by the high contents of potentially toxic elements. Such contents of metals resulted in decreasing of carbon dioxide production by microorganisms ( Feketeová et al., 2016 ). Several authors ( Yuangen et al., 2006 , Zhang et al., 2015 ) suggest soil microbial indicators such as microbial biomass and basal respiration to be useful indicators of polluted environment.…”

Soil mite communities (Acari: Mesostigmata, Oribatida) as bioindicators for environmental conditions from polluted soils

“…These results were demonstrated by canonical correspondence analysis of the association between mite abundance and the environmental factors. Specialist studies have revealed that, in heavy metal polluted soils, the number of bacteria, Actinomycetes and fungi does not decrease, suggesting that such microorganisms may resist increased or even toxic concentrations of heavy metals, and thus constitute a food source for decomposer oribatids 27,70 . On the other hand, soil pH and humidity are correlated with vegetation cover, affecting local habitat conditions for C. bicultrata, G. obvia and L. neerlandica , as well as for Tectocepheus velatus and Diapterobates oblongus 71 .…”

“…According to the latest classification, the mites (Acari), can be divided into two superorders: Parasitiformes (with orders: Opilioacarida, Holothyrida, Ixodida and Mesostigmata) and Acariformes (with orders: Trombidiformes and Sarcoptiformes- suborder Oribatida) 21 . Mite species of the Mesostigmata (mainly predators) and Oribatida (decomposers) groups are sensitive to disturbance such as mining activities 22–27 .…”

Problems and prospects of involving waste from polymetallic and iron ore processing in biological conservation

“…Мы полагаем, что обработка азотобактерией семян горчицы, как сидерального растения, может быть использована на практике для улучшения биогенности корнеобитаемой толщи санитарно-защитных насаждений. Вместе с тем, не исключена возможность формирования биогенной массы с участием почвоулучшителей, как традиционных, так и альтернативных [43,44,45]. Такие подходы позволят ускорить биологическую активность и трофические взаимоотношения в корнеобитаемом слое биоконсервантов.…”

“…Несмотря на отсутствие растительного покрова на их поверхности, они не безжизненны. На отходах обогащения сульфидных руд Уральского региона развиваются железоокисляющие, серо-и пирит-окисляющие микроорганизмы, а также сульфатредуцирующие и ацидотолерантные гетеротрофные бактерии и мик-ромицеты [37], на отходах обогащения железной руды в районе Курской магнитной аномалиимикробные деструкторы органического вещества [26], на отходах цианирования в Западной Сибириазотобактерии [5], на кислых отходах цианирования в Словакиипочвенные бактерии и орибатиды-панцирные клещи [43]. На поверхности хвостов обогащения полиметаллических и железных руд Кузбасса и в биогенно неразвитых эмбриозёмах Кузбасса присутствуют несовершенные микромицетыплесневые грибы и азотобактерии, продуценты гумусоподобных веществ.…”