Removal of SO42−, uranium and other heavy metal ions from simulated solution by sulfate reducing bacteria

In the case of in-situ leaching of uranium, the primitive geochemical environment for groundwater is changed since leachant is injected into the water bearing uranium deposit. This increases the concentration of SO42−, uranium and other heavy metal ions and results in the groundwater contamination. The effects of pH values of the simulated solution on the reduction of SO42− and the removal of uranium and other heavy metal ions by sulfate reducing bacteria(SRB) were studied. The results show that, when the pH value of the simulated solution is about 8, the reduction rate of SO42− by SRB and the removal rate of uranium, Mn2+, Zn2+, Pb2+ and Fe2+ will reach their highest values. A bioremediation technique for remediation of groundwater in in-situ leaching uranium mine can be developed.