Monitoring of sulfate-reducing bacteria in acid water from uranium mines

One of the most serious environment problems created by the mining industry is acid mine drainage. In one plant of Nuclear Industries of Brazil—INB, this problem is a matter of concern. The presence of iron sulfites, such as pyrite, generates water with acidity above the levels allowed by the legislation and therefore, inappropriate for releasing straight into the environment. The industry maintain a high cost treatment in acid water from mines and waste disposal which consists in neutralizing and precipitating heavy metals. The treatment of acid water using sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) has been used in other countries with quite good technical results as well as economical advantages and thus, the object of this research. A seasonal study was carried out on the sulfate-reducing bacteria present in the liquid effluent discharged from two wastes disposal of the uranium mine, in phase of decommission, in Poços de Caldas. This study shows the presence of SRB in the analyzed environmental, as well as some factors that are related with the amount of SRB presents, such as: dissolved oxygen, pH and organic matter.