Bioleaching of heavy metals in mining and metallurgical wastes
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Abstract
Bioleaching of mining-metallurgical waste to remove heavy metals is a topic of great importance in environmental, public health, and secondary recovery fields. Heavy metals, due to their harmful effects on health, pose a latent risk when dispersed in the environment, primarily in water and soil, at elevated concentrations. In this study, a microbial consortium of acidophilic-mesophilic microorganisms was cultivated from natural biomass resulting from mineral oxidation processes. These microorganisms were then applied in the bioleaching process of mining-metallurgical waste originating from an area with high levels of heavy metal contamination and a producer of mining-metallurgical waste. The process was carried out in two phases: initially in agitated flasks with 50 grams of waste for 15 days, followed by scaling up to 640 grams in 8.3 liters. This scaling-up was performed with agitation at 85 rpm and a controlled temperature between 20 and 33 °C for 30 days, simulating an experimental-scale reactor. Successful copper and iron solubilization from the waste was achieved, with a removal of 63.27% in copper, 16.19% in iron, and 58.82% in arsenic, assessed through concentration measurements before and after bioleaching. The reduction in contaminant concentration underscores the potential of this bioleaching process to mitigate pollution and revalorize metals present in the waste. These findings guide research towards more environmentally friendly methods. The application of bioleaching not only provides environmental benefits but also lays the groundwork for action in favor of public health. Reducing the presence of heavy metals in waste significantly contributes to the protection of ecosystems and the health of communities near mining-metallurgical waste disposal sites.
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