Application of microbe-induced carbonate precipitation for copper removal from copper-enriched waters: Challenges to future industrial application
Application of microbe-induced carbonate precipitation for copper removal from copper-enriched waters: Challenges to future industrial application
Authors
Duarte Nass, Carla
Rebolledo, Katherina
Valenzuela, Tamara
Kopp, Matias
Jeison, David
Rivas, Mariella
Azocar, Laura
Torres Aravena, Alvaro
Ciudad, Gustavo
Rebolledo, Katherina
Valenzuela, Tamara
Kopp, Matias
Jeison, David
Rivas, Mariella
Azocar, Laura
Torres Aravena, Alvaro
Ciudad, Gustavo
Authors
Date
Datos de publicaciĆ³n:
10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109938
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Abstract
Copper contamination in watercourses is a recent issue in countries where mining operations are prevalent. In this study, the application of copper precipitation through microbe-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) was analyzed using urea hydrolysis by bacteria to evaluate precipitated copper carbonates. This article demonstrates the application of a copper precipitation assay involving Sporosarcina pasteurii (in 0.5 mM Cu2+ and 333 mM urea) and analyzes the resultant low removal (10%). The analysis indicates that the low removal was a consequence of Cu2+ complexation with the ammonia resulting from the hydrolysis of urea. However, the results indicate that there should be a positive correlation between the initial urea concentration and the bacterial tolerance to copper. This identifies a challenge in the industrial application of the process, wherein a minimum consumption of urea represents an economic advantage. Therefore, it is necessary to design a sequential process that decouples bacterial growth and copper precipitation, thereby decreasing the urea requirement.