Abstract
Our previous work (published in Letters in Applied Microbiology 2013) showed that Burkholderia phytofirmans candidate strain ST01hv can degrade thiocyanate (SCN−), a common contaminant from gold ore processing. However, the impacts of major environmental parameters on the biodegradation activity of this strain must be characterized to implement it in bioremediation efforts. In this study, several environmental factors, including pH, the concentrations of SCN−, phosphate, and ammonium, and the type and concentration of organic carbon, were tested for effects on the efficiency of SCN− biodegradation by the bacterium. Results showed that SCN− biodegradation occurred within a range of pH values (6.0 ± 0.2 to 8.0 ± 0.2), with an optimum between 7.0 and 7.5. SCN− breakdown depended on initial ammonium and SCN− concentrations, as well as the availability of phosphate. At lower ammonium and SCN− levels (<60 and <220 mg/L, respectively), the extent of biodegradation was greater, while at higher concentrations (≥60 and 350–1,500 mg/L), these substances acted as inhibitors. Different carbon substrates showed different degrees of influence, with glucose (4.0 g/L, the highest amount of available C at 133 mM C/L medium) providing the best results (i.e., complete SCN− breakdown after 4 days). The tested environmental parameters are relevant to industrial environments such as mining- and coking-contaminated soils, and the results from this work will inform strategies for SCN− bioremediation.
Published Version
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