REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS AND SUPHATE IONS FROM SYNTHETIC ACID MINE DRAINAGE BY Bacillus cereus MTCC-430 IN AEROBIC CONDITION

Abstract

AMD occurs when flows through mines, extracting and exposing sulfide-rich rocks. Bacteria further convert these sulfide minerals into sulphuric acid, which reduces the pH of the water. The resulting acidic water is toxic for aquatic organisms, adversely impacts the vegetation in nearby areas, and contaminates the drinking water sources. Bacteria Bacillus cereus MTCC -430 was used to remove cations and anions from the AMD. A remediation study for AMD was attempted in the atmospheric conditions and aerobic environment. The Bacterial activities increased the pH of AMD from 3.2 to 7.48 and help to precipitate the cations such as Fe, Al, Zn, and Pb almost complete removal (> 99 %). Further, In the case of Co, and Cu more than 90 % of removal was observed. However, for Mn, Ca, Ni, K, Cr, and Mg the removal was in the range between 50 - 60 %. Additionally, sulphate ions, chloride ions, and nitrate ions removal from the AMD has been observed at 68%, 47.5%, and 90 % respectively in 21 days. The FTIR, XRD, and FESEM-EDX characterization of after-treatment sludge confirmed the results obtained in the MPAES analysis of treated AMD water. This study confirms the effective treatment possibility for AMD with single species of Bacteria Bacillus cereus MTCC 430, based on the environmentally friendly approach.