Title |
MINIREVIEW] Microbial Leaching of Metals from Solid Industrial Wastes |
Author |
Debaraj Mishra1 and Young Ha Rhee2* |
Address |
1Sungeel Hi-Tech Ltd., Incheon 404-250, Republic of Korea, 2Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea |
Bibliography |
Journal of Microbiology, 52(1),1–7, 2014,
|
DOI |
10.1007/s12275-014-3532-3
|
Key Words |
Acidophiles, solid waste, microbial leaching, metal recovery |
Abstract |
Biotechnological applications for metal recovery have played
a greater role in recovery of valuable metals from low grade
sulfide minerals from the beginning of the middle era till the
end of the twentieth century. With depletion of ore/minerals
and implementation of stricter environmental rules, microbiological
applications for metal recovery have been shifted
towards solid industrial wastes. Due to certain restrictions
in conventional processes, use of microbes has garnered increased
attention. The process is environmentally-friendly,
economical and cost-effective. The major microorganisms in
recovery of heavy metals are acidophiles that thrive at acidic
pH ranging from 2.0–4.0. These microbes aid in dissolving
metals by secreting inorganic and organic acids into aqueous
media. Some of the well-known acidophilic bacteria such as
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans,
Leptospirillum ferrooxidans and Sulfolobus spp. are wellstudied
for bioleaching activity, whereas, fungal species like
Penicillium spp. and Aspergillus niger have been thoroughly
studied for the same process. This mini-review focuses on
the acidophilic microbial diversity and application of those
microorganisms toward solid industrial wastes. |