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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology
Microbial communities in low permeability, high pH uranium mine tailings: Characterization and potential effects
Journal of Applied Microbiology, Volume 114, No. 6, Year 2013
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Description
Aims: To describe the diversity and metabolic potential of microbial communities in uranium mine tailings characterized by high pH, high metal concentration and low permeability. Methods and Results: To assess microbial diversity and their potential to influence the geochemistry of uranium mine tailings using aerobic and anaerobic culture-based methods, in conjunction with next generation sequencing and clone library sequencing targeting two universal bacterial markers (the 16S rRNA and cpn60 genes). Growth assays revealed that 69% of the 59 distinct culturable isolates evaluated were multiple-metal resistant, with 15% exhibiting dual-metal hypertolerance. There was a moderately positive correlation coefficient (R = 0·43, P < 0·05) between multiple-metal resistance of the isolates and their enzyme expression profile. Of the isolates tested, 17 reduced amorphous iron, 22 reduced molybdate and seven oxidized arsenite. Based on next generation sequencing, tailings depth was shown to influence bacterial community composition, with the difference in the microbial diversity of the upper (0-20 m) and middle (20-40 m) tailings zones being highly significant (P < 0·01) from the lower zone (40-60 m) and the difference in diversity of the upper and middle tailings zone being significant (P < 0·05). Phylotypes closely related to well-known sulfate-reducing and iron-reducing bacteria were identified with low abundance, yet relatively high diversity. Conclusions: The presence of a population of metabolically-diverse, metal-resistant micro-organisms within the tailings environment, along with their demonstrated capacity for transforming metal elements, suggests that these organisms have the potential to influence the long-term geochemistry of the tailings. Significance and Impact of the study: This study is the first investigation of the diversity and functional potential of micro-organisms present in low permeability, high pH uranium mine tailings. © 2013 The Society for Applied Microbiology.
Authors & Co-Authors
Bondici, Viorica F.
Canada, Saskatoon
University of Saskatchewan
Lawrence, John R.
Canada, Gatineau
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Khan, Nurul H.
Canada, Saskatoon
University of Saskatchewan
Hill, Janet E.
Canada, Saskatoon
University of Saskatchewan
Yergeau, Étienne
Canada, Ottawa
National Research Council Canada
Wolfaardt, Gideon M.
Canada, Toronto
Toronto Metropolitan University
Korber, Darren R.
Canada, Saskatoon
University of Saskatchewan
Statistics
Citations: 58
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1111/jam.12180
ISSN:
13645072
Research Areas
Noncommunicable Diseases
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study