Cyanide Removal in Electroplating, Metal Plating and Gold Mining Industries’ Wastewaters by Using Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca Species

ABSTRACT Objective: In this study, cyanide containing wastewaters of electroplating, metal plating and gold mining industries were selected in order to investigate the usability of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca. Materials and Methods: In order to investigate their cyanide removal capability K. pneumoniae and K. oxytoca cultures both, separately and with sterile crude extracts were used. Results: It is observed that cyanide in electroplating wastewater was effectively removed by the cultures and sterile crude extracts of K. pneumoniae (both 100%) and K. oxytoca (100% and 70%, respectively). Additionally, culture of K. pneumoniae, mixture of K. pneumoniae and K. oxytoca cultures, sterile crude extract of K. oxytoca and mixture of K. pneumoniae and K. oxytoca sterile crude extracts degraded cyanide efficiently (94%, 96%, 90% and 93%, respectively) in metal plating wastewater. Conclusion: It is determined that K. pneumoniae and K. oxytoca cultures and crude extracts can be a promising alternative for cyanide removal in wastewaters of different industries.