Comparing the tolerance limits of selected bacterial and protozoan species to nickel in wastewater systems

Heavy-metal resistant microorganisms play a significant role in the treatment of industrial wastewater. The detoxifying ability of these resistant microorganisms can be manipulated for bioremediation of heavy metals in wastewater systems. This study aimed at comparing the tolerance limit of selected wastewater protozoan species (Aspidisca sp., Trachelophyllum sp. and Peranema sp.) against Ni2+ with that of selected bacterial species (Bacillus licheniformis-ATCC12759, Brevibacillus laterosporus-ATCC64 and Pseudomonas putida-ATCC31483) commonly found in wastewater systems. The isolates were exposed to various concentrations of Ni2+ in mixed liquor and their tolerance to Ni2+ assessed at different temperatures (25 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C and 40 °C) and pHs (4, 6, 7, 8 and 10). The physicochemical parameters such as chemical oxygen demand (COD) and dissolved oxygen (DO) of the media and the growth rates of the isolates were measured using standard methods. In terms of their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), the results revealed that the isolates could tolerate Ni2+ at concentrations ranging between 32 and 52 ppm for protozoa and between 52 and 84 ppm for bacteria. B. licheniformis-ATCC12759 was the most tolerant bacterial species (MIC: 84 ppm-Ni2+) while Peranema sp. was the most tolerant protozoan species (MIC: 52 ppm-Ni2+). At 10 and/or 20 ppm-Ni2+ the growth of B. licheniformis-ATCC12759 (6.30 days− 1 for 10 and 5.73 days− 1 for 20 ppm-Ni2+), P. putida-ATCC31483 (6.02 days− 1 for 10 and 5.31 days− 1 for 20 ppm-Ni2+) and Peranema sp. (2.15 days− 1 for 10 ppm-Ni2+) was stimulated after one day of incubation. Statistical evidence showed significant differences (p = 0.0065) between the MIC of the six isolates and positive correlations between COD and the growth rates of isolates (r = 0.8999/0.8810 for bacteria/protozoa). The tolerance limit of all isolates was significantly dependent on the pH and the temperature. The study suggests that these isolates can be used for the bioremediation of nickel in industrial wastewater systems.

► At 10 and/or 20 mg-Ni/L, the growth some microbial species was stimulated when incubated at 30 C, pH 7.
► Protozoan species can also be used for the bioremediation of heavy metals in wastewater system.
► The tolerance limit of microbial isolates to nickel was related to the pH and temperature.
► Growth rate of microbial isolates and COD of wastewater were positively correlated.