Identification of Acid Mine Drainage Microorganisms from a Coal Mine in South Africa

Authors

  • Evanie Devi Deenanath School of Chemical & Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein, 2000, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Rosemary Falcon School of Chemical & Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein, 2000, Johannesburg, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2016.05.01.2

Keywords:

Acid mine drainage, Gene amplification, Cercozoan, Bacteria, Algae

Abstract

Acid mine drainage (AMD) generated from mining processes is an on-going environmental concern. This study aimed to identify microorganisms (MOs) from a coal mine water source to determine organism diversity for its use as a bioremediation method of AMD contaminated sources. For the purpose of this study, a culture-dependent sample, previously collected from an open-mine-water-pit was used to assess the microbial community by 18S rRNA gene amplification and BLAST analysis. The analysis revealed the presence of 94 MOs, with 3 dominant MOs namely, Cercozoan; an uncultured bacterium and Chorella vulgaris. The use of this culture is not promising as the presence of Cercozoan, a protist type body will target other species for its own survival, hence inhibiting any positive effect the algae or bacteria may have on bioremediation potential of harmful AMD elements.

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Published

2016-03-02

How to Cite

Deenanath, E. D., & Falcon, R. (2016). Identification of Acid Mine Drainage Microorganisms from a Coal Mine in South Africa. International Journal of Biotechnology for Wellness Industries, 5(1), 6–9. https://doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2016.05.01.2

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