Microbial communities associated with uranium in-situ recovery mining process are related to acid mine drainage assemblages

A large fraction (47%) of the world's uranium is mined by a technique called “In Situ Recovery” (ISR). This mining technique involves the injection of a leaching fluid (acidic or alkaline) into a uranium-bearing aquifer and the pumping of the resulting solution through cation exchange columns for the recovery of dissolved uranium. The present study reports the in-depth alterations brought to autochthonous microbial communities during acidic ISR activities. Water samples were collected from a uranium roll-front deposit that is part of an ISR mine in operation (Tortkuduk, Kazakhstan). Water samples were obtained at a depth of ca 500 m below ground level from several zones of the Uyuk aquifer following the natural redox zonation inherited from the roll front deposit, including the native mineralized orebody and both upstream and downstream adjacent locations. Samples were collected equally from both the entrance and the exit of the uranium concentration plant. Next-generation sequencing data showed that the redox gradient shaped the community structures, within the anaerobic, reduced, and oligotrophic habitats of the native aquifer zones. Acid injection induced drastic changes in the structures of these communities, with a large decrease in both cell numbers and diversity. Communities present in the acidified (pH values 

Biostimulation as a remediation strategy post uranium acidic in situ recovery

Rizlan Bernier-Latmani, Thomas Coral, Brian Carl Reinsch, Pierre Rossi

A large fraction (47%) of the world’s uranium is mined by a technique called “In Situ Recovery”. This mining technique involves the injection of a leaching fluid (acid or alkaline) into a uranium-bearing aquifer and the pumping of the resulting solution through cation exchange columns for the recovery of the dissolved metal. A strategy of rehabilitation of the aquifer is based on the biostimulation of the autochthonous microbial community to remediate the acid plume and immobilize remaining trace metals. Assessment of the biostimulation was carried out using column tests filled with aquifer material. These columns were stimulated with a mixture of molasses, yeast extract and glycerol. Results showed that this mixture efficiently promoted the development of acid-resistant, sulfate-reducing bacterial guild members down to an inlet pH value ~ 4.7, with pH values at the outlet reaching up to 6.5 – 7. The rise of pH values along the columns were attributed to the predominant reduction of nitrate and sulfate. Biostimulation of the microbial community efficiently promoted the complete immobilization of U in the first centimeters of the columns. Synchrotron x-ray analysis and electron microscopy revealed that up to 60% of total U was precipitated as UIV onto bacterial cells. A detailed metagenomic analysis and qPCR data illustrated drastic changes occurring within the community with the reduction of the microbial diversity and the quantitative development of fermentative bacteria. The community was dominated by members of the Phylum Firmicutes (genus “Clostridium”, Pelosinus and Desulfosporosinus), representing up to 89 % of all cells.

2016

Microbial community evolution in a marine shore porphyry tailings deposit throughout wetland remediation

Nouhou Diaby, Christof Holliger, Pierre Rossi

Background Two porphyry copper mines located in southern Peru initiated the discharge of mine wastes (tailings) for a final shore deposition in the Bay of Ite (Pacific Ocean). 780 millions metric tons of tailings were deposited, which formed a delta with a surface of ca. 16 km2. A low-pH oxidation zone characterized by the presence of iron hydroxides developed on the surface, along with a strong build-up of efflorescent salts rich in heavy metals. Objectives A 3 years investigation was carried out in order to understand the biogeochemical processes resulting from the remediation of the oxidizing tailings by the implementation of a wetland cover1. Methods Analysis of the bacterial communities was carried out by molecular techniques (T-RFLP and cloning-sequencing). A combination of physical, chemical and mineralogical methods was applied for the characterization of solid tailings and water samples. Results The non-remediated tailings was characterized by a low-pH oxidation zone (pH 3 – 4), in which the oxidative dissolution of sulphide was identified as the dominant process, carried out mainly by Leptospirillum spp, Acidithiobacillus spp and Sulfobacillus spp. This dissolution led to an increase in metal concentrations in the pore water. Below the oxidation zone, the neutrophilic primary zone was characterized by SO42- and Fe reductions induced by sulphate- and iron-reducing bacteria (SRB and FeRB). Drastic changes were observed along the remediation process, as the heavy metal concentrations decreased progressively close or below the detection limits together with the gradual installation of a near neutral pH and more reducing conditions. SO42- and Fe reductions were still observed in the deep section of the remediated tailings. Close to the surface, the presence of lithoautotrophic neutrophilic iron oxidizing bacteria such as Mariprofundus ferroxidans, Galionella spp, Leptotrix mobilis suggested that iron oxidation played an important role in the iron cycle. Other ubiquitous bacteria related to fresh water and marine environment were also detected in the wetland. Conclusions The implementation of a wetland promoted neutralization of the acid mine drainage and induced favourable geochemical conditions for the development of both SRB and FeRB, which lead to the metal removal from solution. References Diaby, N. 2009. Biogeochemical evolution of a marine shore tailings deposit during bioremediation. Ph. D. Thesis, University of Lausanne, Switzerland. 217 pp.

2009

Temporal evolution of bacterial communities associated with the in situ wetland-based remediation of a marine shore porphyry copper tailings deposit

Nouhou Diaby, Christof Holliger, Emmanuelle Rohrbach, Pierre Rossi

Mine tailings are a serious threat to the environment and public health. Remediation of these residues can be carried out effectively by the activation of specific microbial processes. This article presents detailed information about temporal changes in bacterial community composition during the remediation of a section of porphyry copper tailings deposited on the Bahía de Ite shoreline (Peru). An experimental remediation cell was flooded and transformed into a wetland in order to prevent oxidation processes, immobilizing metals. Initially, the top oxidation zone of the tailings deposit displayed a low pH (3.1) and high concentrations of metals, sulfate, and chloride, in a sandy grain size geological matrix. This habitatwas dominated by sulfur- and iron-oxidizing bacteria, such as Leptospirillumspp., Acidithiobacillus spp., and Sulfobacillus spp., in a microbial community which structure resembled acid mine drainage environments. After wetland implementation, the cell was water-saturated, the acidity was consumed and metals dropped to a fraction of their initial respective concentrations. Bacterial communities analyzed by massive sequencing showed time-dependent changes both in composition and cell numbers. The final remediation stage was characterized by the highest bacterial diversity and evenness. Aside from classical sulfate reducers from the phyla δ-Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, community structure comprised taxa derived fromvery diverse habitats. The community was also characterized by an elevated proportion of rare phyla and unaffiliated sequences. Numerical ecology analysis confirmed that the temporal population evolution was driven by pH, redox, and K. Results of this study demonstrated the usefulness of a detailed follow-up of the remediation process, not only for the elucidation of the communities gradually switching from autotrophic, oxidizing to heterotrophic and reducing living conditions, but also for the long term management of the remediation wetlands.

Elsevier2015