Bacterial aox genotype from arsenic contaminated mine to adjacent coastal sediment: Evidences for potential biogeochemical arsenic oxidation

► Bacterial aoxB gene encoding arsenite oxidase was identified from As(III)-oxidizing cultures isolated from aerobic samples of the contaminated mines and adjacent coastal sediments. ► It was speculated that As(III)-oxidizing bacteria isolated from those highly arsenic-contaminated areas contributed the biogeochemical cycling of arsenic by transforming arsenic species and resulting in change of mobility. ► Further in situ biogeochemical and/or microbial ecological investigations would be needed to assess the phenomena in natural environment.