Comparative study of microbial community from mining wastes - focus on future recovery of copper

Background The interaction between microorganisms and heavy metals has been occurring since the beginning of life on the planet, 4 billion years ago, which allowed the biological evolution of resistance in systems and the survival of these microorganisms in environments containing high metals concentrations of metals [1]. Recently, a bioremediation review presented by Perpetuo et.al. [2] considers the bioremediation technique as a feasible alternative for treatment and recovery of sites contaminated by heavy metals. However, a previous study of the microbial community living in these areas is necessary as well as the isolation of resistant and effective microorganisms with characteristics favorable to bioprocess, for remotion or concentration of these metals and also for subsequent metal reuse. This study investigates the bioprospection of natural selected copper-resistant organisms from a copper mining located in Pará, Brazil, for future reuse purposes.