Journal
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
Volume 563, Issue -, Pages 302-319Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.04.094
Keywords
bioleaching; bioremediation; aquatic sediments; metal contamination
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Funding
- Universita Politecnica delle Marche (Ancona, Italy)
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Bioleaching is a consolidated biotechnology in the mining industry and in bio-hydrometallurgy, where microorganisms mediate the solubilisation of metals and semi-metals from mineral ores and concentrates. Bioleaching also has the potential for ex-situ/on-site remediation of aquatic sediments that are contaminated with metals, which represent a key environmental issue of global concern. By eliminating or reducing (semi-)metal contamination of aquatic sediments, bioleaching may represent an environmentally friendly and low-cost strategy for management of contaminated dredged sediments. Nevertheless, the efficiency of bioleaching in this context is greatly influenced by several abiotic and biotic factors. These factors need to be carefully taken into account before selecting bioleaching as a suitable remediation strategy. Here we review the application of bioleaching for sediment bioremediation, and provide a critical view of the main factors that affect its performance. We also discuss future research needs to improve bioleaching strategies for contaminated aquatic sediments, in view of large-scale applications. (c) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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