Bench-scale microbial remediation of the model acid mine drainage: Effects of nutrients and microbes on the source bioremediation

In this work, a bench-scale microbial remediation system was established by supplemented nutrients, sulfate reducing bacteria and iron reducing bacteria to inhibit key factors (iron oxidizing bacteria and oxidation reduction potential) during the formation of acid mine drainage. The results indicated sodium lactate could inhibit the growth of A. ferrooxidans and their ability of oxidizing ferrous ion, could alleviate but not prevent the pyrite oxidizing process. Organic nutrients prevented pyrite oxidation effectively by the adjustment of microbial community. Sulfate reducing bacteria adapted to the remediate environment and improved physicochemical index of group 1. Sulfate reducing bacteria and nutrients are the key factor for bioremediation.