Lab-scale production of biogenic sulphide for metal precipitation in remote areas

Abstract

Batch cultures with wheat straw, biomass of Paja Brava ( Festuca orthophylla ), filter paper, newspaper and beech leaves ( Fagus sylvatica ) were established to produce sulphide. Sulphide production, sulphate reduction, concentration of Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs), enzyme activities and Fluorescence in situ hybridisation were determined. Approximately 5 mM of sulphide was produced during anaerobic digestion of wheat straw, while the production with newspaper as carbon source was the lowest (ca.1 mM). The sulphide production (2–5 mM) in the semi-continuous culture of the consortium A10, using wheat straw supported Cu(II), Pb (II) and Zn (II) removal up to 90%.