Dissolution of Arsenic Minerals Mediated by Dissimilatory Arsenate Reducing Bacteria: Estimation of the Physiological Potential for Arsenic Mobilization

Abstract

The aim of this study was characterization of the isolated dissimilatory arsenate reducing bacteria in the context of their potential for arsenic removal from primary arsenic minerals through reductive dissolution. Four strains, Shewanella sp. OM1, Pseudomonas sp. OM2, Aeromonas sp. OM4, and Serratia sp. OM17, capable of anaerobic growth with As (V) reduction, were isolated from microbial mats from an ancient gold mine. All of the isolated strains: (i) produced siderophores that promote dissolution of minerals, (ii) were resistant to dissolved arsenic compounds, (iii) were able to use the dissolved arsenates as the terminal electron acceptor, and (iii) were able to use copper minerals containing arsenic minerals (e.g., enargite) as a respiratory substrate. Based on the results obtained in this study, we postulate that arsenic can be released from some As-bearing polymetallic minerals (such as copper ore concentrates or middlings) under reductive conditions by dissimilatory arsenate reducers in indirect processes.

Arsenic Biotransformation in Solid Waste Residue: Comparison of Contributions from Bacteria with Arsenate and Iron Reducing Pathways

“…Compared with the control, IMH slightly enhanced (p < 0.01) total Fe release, possibly because of disaggregation of minerals in the residue induced by IMH colonization and physical penetration into the mineral surface. 27 This speculation was justified by our SEM characterization ( Figure S2 of the SI), which showed that the microbial incubation induced the crushing of As-bearing minerals from a large lamellar assembly (about 20−50 μm, Figure S2a−c of the SI) to small particles (about 100 nm, Figure S2d−f of the SI).…”

Leguminosae native nodulating bacteria from a gold mine As-contaminated soil: Multi-resistance to trace elements, and possible role in plant growth and mineral nutrition

“…solubilization by these strains is most likely not due to release of OA. We hypothesize that these strains do not produce OA in As-contaminated soil in order to avoid As solubilization since OA release may cause arsenopyrite (FeAsS) dissolution, even if little efficient (59).…”

Cupriavidus agavae sp. nov., a species isolated from Agave L. rhizosphere in northeast Mexico

“…The 96-well plates were incubated at 29 °C for 96 h, 120 r.p.m., and later the OD 600 was read in a Multiskan FC Microplate Photometer (Thermo Fischer Scientific). The MIC was the minimal concentration of metal that inhibited the microbial growth [25]. Amylolytic and proteolytic activity, production of siderophores and solubilization of phosphates were tested on the strains according to Estrada-de los Santos et al .…”