Suspended culture of sulfate reducing bacteria for the remediation of acid mine drainage

Acid mind drainages are characterized by low pH, and high sulfate and heavy metals concentrations. Conventional treatment technologies address these concerns with high chemical additions producing large volumes of sludge requiring disposal. An anaerobic suspended culture of sulfate reducing bacteria can reduce the metals and sulfate levels by reducing sulfate to sulfide levels by reducing sulfate to sulfate, which can then form precipates with the metal in solution, while increase pH and producing biocarbonate. Readily available and inexpensive organic carbon sources such as wastewater and waste beer were evaluated in serum bottles, and a bench scale sequencing batch reactor was operated using molasses as the organic source. Up to 90% sulfate removal was achieved while reducing iron concentrations to below detection limits. Increases in pH require production of stoichiometrically excess sulfide.