Environment

From BioMineWiki

Organisms are classified according to environmental factors. These environmental factors select whether an organism will survive, grow or die. Since microbes are small they are affected by changes in the microenvironment. They interact with other microbes.

Questions

If certain bioleaching microbes are able to change electron acceptor from oxygen to something else are current treatments of acid mine drainage still useful?

Give examples of environmental changes (relevant in biohydrometallurgy) that will affect the growth of microbes. Comment whether these changes are created intentionally by mankind or are a result of microorganisms, weathering processes, etc. Especially consider

• Exposure to/Concealment from oxygen (for example before, during and after exploitation)
• Additives used for metal extraction (in processes like flotation, agglomeration etc)
• Changes in metal ion concentration during leaching. Microorganisms can have different affinity for metal-ion substrate (for example Fe(II)) as well as different tolerance to metal-ions (for example Fe(III))
  • “Reasons why 'Leptospirillum'-like species rather than Thiobacillus ferrooxidans are the dominant iron-oxidizing bacteria in many commercial processes for the biooxidation of pyrite and related ores.”
• Changes in pH. What may happen with sulfide tailings overtime?
• The microbial community in a multi-step, continuous tank-leaching process is not the same in all tanks. Why not? Describe the succession of microorganisms?

niche