Microbial diversity at remediated former gold and copper mines and the metal tolerance of indigenous microbial strains
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F46747885%3A24620%2F25%3A00014055" target="_blank" >RIV/46747885:24620/25:00014055 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://journals.asm.org/journal/aem" target="_blank" >https://journals.asm.org/journal/aem</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/aem.02555-24" target="_blank" >10.1128/aem.02555-24</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Microbial diversity at remediated former gold and copper mines and the metal tolerance of indigenous microbial strains
Original language description
Metamorphic Devonian rocks in the northern Moravian Jeseník district (Czech Republic) contain non-vein polymetallic, copper, and gold deposits. Sulfide leaching following previous mining activities has caused significant chemical and physical alterations in the local environment, resulting in biological process shifts. Here, we present a detailed microbiological survey of the Zlaté Hory mine and its adjacent features, including tailings, sediments, and treated mine water. In addition, we isolated metal-tolerant bacteria and fungi as potential candidates for the bioremediation of mine wastewater. Microbial community analysis revealed differences driven by environmental conditions. Acidotolerant consortia, for example, Gallionella sp. and Ferrovum sp., were mainly detected in the acidic shaft outflow (pH 3.07, conductivity 1,351 μS.cm−1). Subsequent treatment and pH neutralization led to the presence of metal-tolerant heterotrophs, including fungi, despite elevated heavy metal concentrations. Notably, the highest microbial diversity was observed in drainage water with low metal content. These findings suggest that physicochemical factors, such as pH and metal/metalloid concentration, play a pivotal role in shaping environmental microbiomes and influencing community composition. Furthermore, while biogeochemical processes (e.g., Fe(II) oxidation, sulfide precipitation, metal immobilization) may already be contributing to natural mine water remediation, unfavorable equilibria in the iron cycle caused by acidification could be compensated for through bioremediation using beneficial microorganisms, such as Variovorax or Arthrobacter isolates.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
20801 - Environmental biotechnology
Result continuities
Project
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Continuities
S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Applied and Environmental Microbiology>
ISSN
0099-2240
e-ISSN
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Volume of the periodical
91
Issue of the periodical within the volume
10
Country of publishing house
US - UNITED STATES
Number of pages
22
Pages from-to
e02555-24
UT code for WoS article
001560193100001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105019818842