Influence of Extremophiles on the Generation of Acid Mine Drainage at the Abandoned Pan de Azúcar Mine (Argentina)
The risk of generation of acid drainages in the tailings of the Pan de Azúcar mine that closed its activities more than three decades ago, was evaluated through biooxidation studies using iron- and sulfur-oxidizing extremophilic leaching consortia. Most of tailings showed a high potential for genera...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/2/281 |
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| author | Josefina Plaza-Cazón Leonardo Benítez Jésica Murray Pablo Kirschbaum Edgardo Donati |
| author_facet | Josefina Plaza-Cazón Leonardo Benítez Jésica Murray Pablo Kirschbaum Edgardo Donati |
| author_sort | Josefina Plaza-Cazón |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The risk of generation of acid drainages in the tailings of the Pan de Azúcar mine that closed its activities more than three decades ago, was evaluated through biooxidation studies using iron- and sulfur-oxidizing extremophilic leaching consortia. Most of tailings showed a high potential for generating acid drainage, in agreement with the results from net acid generation (NAG) assays. In addition, molecular analysis of the microbial consortia obtained by enrichment of the samples, demonstrated that native leaching microorganisms are ubiquitous in the area and they seemed to be more efficient in the biooxidation of the tailings than the collection microorganisms. The acid drainages detected at the site and those formed by oxidation of the tailings, produced a significant ecotoxicological effect demonstrated by a bioassay. These drainages, even at high dilutions, could seriously affect a nearby Ramsar site (Laguna de Pozuelos) that is connected to the Pan de Azúcar mine through a hydrological route (Cincel River). |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:17:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b9bcbb6edd8140b2ad1e8d927fd3c89a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:17:15Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-b9bcbb6edd8140b2ad1e8d927fd3c89a2023-12-03T15:17:07ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072021-01-019228110.3390/microorganisms9020281Influence of Extremophiles on the Generation of Acid Mine Drainage at the Abandoned Pan de Azúcar Mine (Argentina)Josefina Plaza-Cazón0Leonardo Benítez1Jésica Murray2Pablo Kirschbaum3Edgardo Donati4Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales, CINDEFI (CCT La Plata-CONICET, UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, 50 y 115, La Plata 1900, ArgentinaCentro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales, CINDEFI (CCT La Plata-CONICET, UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, 50 y 115, La Plata 1900, ArgentinaInstituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA (IBIGEO), CONICET-UNSa Av. 9 de Julio 14, Rosario de Lerma 4405, ArgentinaCátedra de Suelos, Carrera de Geología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Av. Bolivia N° 5150, Salta 4400, ArgentinaCentro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales, CINDEFI (CCT La Plata-CONICET, UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, 50 y 115, La Plata 1900, ArgentinaThe risk of generation of acid drainages in the tailings of the Pan de Azúcar mine that closed its activities more than three decades ago, was evaluated through biooxidation studies using iron- and sulfur-oxidizing extremophilic leaching consortia. Most of tailings showed a high potential for generating acid drainage, in agreement with the results from net acid generation (NAG) assays. In addition, molecular analysis of the microbial consortia obtained by enrichment of the samples, demonstrated that native leaching microorganisms are ubiquitous in the area and they seemed to be more efficient in the biooxidation of the tailings than the collection microorganisms. The acid drainages detected at the site and those formed by oxidation of the tailings, produced a significant ecotoxicological effect demonstrated by a bioassay. These drainages, even at high dilutions, could seriously affect a nearby Ramsar site (Laguna de Pozuelos) that is connected to the Pan de Azúcar mine through a hydrological route (Cincel River).https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/2/281acid mine drainagebiooxidation studiesPan de Azúcar mine |
| spellingShingle | Josefina Plaza-Cazón Leonardo Benítez Jésica Murray Pablo Kirschbaum Edgardo Donati Influence of Extremophiles on the Generation of Acid Mine Drainage at the Abandoned Pan de Azúcar Mine (Argentina) Microorganisms acid mine drainage biooxidation studies Pan de Azúcar mine |
| title | Influence of Extremophiles on the Generation of Acid Mine Drainage at the Abandoned Pan de Azúcar Mine (Argentina) |
| title_full | Influence of Extremophiles on the Generation of Acid Mine Drainage at the Abandoned Pan de Azúcar Mine (Argentina) |
| title_fullStr | Influence of Extremophiles on the Generation of Acid Mine Drainage at the Abandoned Pan de Azúcar Mine (Argentina) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of Extremophiles on the Generation of Acid Mine Drainage at the Abandoned Pan de Azúcar Mine (Argentina) |
| title_short | Influence of Extremophiles on the Generation of Acid Mine Drainage at the Abandoned Pan de Azúcar Mine (Argentina) |
| title_sort | influence of extremophiles on the generation of acid mine drainage at the abandoned pan de azucar mine argentina |
| topic | acid mine drainage biooxidation studies Pan de Azúcar mine |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/2/281 |
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