As and Sb in Wastes of Komsomolsk Gold-extraction Factory: Results of Investigation of Water-wastes-bacteria Interaction

We investigate correlations between content of As, Sb, Zn, Cu, Fe and microbiological composition of the wastes in the vertical and horizontal directions at the Komsomolsk tailings, Kemerovo region, Russia. Concentrations of As up to 30g/l and Sb up to 91mg/l were revealed in pore waters. Seventeen strains were cultured from the wastes. The northern part of Komsomolsk tailings is characterized by a large amount of bacterial diversity in the wastes. Among Gram-positive bacteria, there is domination of Bacillus. The positive correlation between concentrations of As and Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus globigii indicates the role of the bacteria in the formation of the secondary mineral phases of As3+ - Schneiderhöhnite Fe2+Fe33+[As5O13], detected in the wastes composition.