Biological sulfate removal with low-cost carbon sources using cold-acclimated bacteria

Abstract The main goal of this study was to develop a cost-efficient biological method for the removal sulfate from mining effluents in cold conditions. A consortium cold-tolerant sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) tested at 6 °C regarding utilization economically viable, low-cost carbon sources, i.e., whey, conditioned sewage sludge, and peat, synthetic water. Succinate used as reference source. Of all studied sludge proved be most efficient. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed that contained propionic acid, which utilizable by SRB under Peat both adsorbed acted nutrient source reduction process. When whey source, only slight decrease concentration detected. found work truly predictable efficient way reduction, even lowest tested. use increased bacterial diversity liquid cultivations significantly. However, number highest succinate cultivations.