Isolation and characterisation of Fe(II)-oxidising bacteria and their application in the removal of arsenic in an aqueous solution

Abstract

ABSTRACT Arsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid disseminated in water, soil, and air. Arsenic contamination is currently a major public health concern. This study investigated arsenic removal by Fe(II)-oxidising bacteria in an aqueous solution. A bacterial strain, Z1, isolated from concentrated sludge, was identified as Sphaerotilus natans based on microscopic morphology, culture characteristics, and 16s rRNA gene sequences. After arsenic-resistant acclimation, Sphaerotilus natans Z1 successfully survived and propagated in high arsenic conditions (100 mg·L−1 As(V) or As(III)). To a certain extent, the isolated strain could decrease the concentration of As(III)/As(V) by biosorption under organic substance supply. Partial As(V) could be reduced to As(III) due to cytoplasmic arsenic reduction of bacteria. In addition, ferrihydrite, one of the iron oxides, was formed by the mediation of Sphaerotilus natans in the Winogradsky medium. Most of As(III)/As(V) could be effectively removed by sorbing onto the resultant ferrihydrite mineral. Thus, iron oxide minerals facilitated by Sphaerotilus natans may be an alternative remediation strategy for scavenging arsenic in the water environment.