Abstract
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is an environmental issue that can be characterized by either acidic or circumneutral pH and high dissolved metal content in contaminated waters. It is estimated to affect roughly 3000 miles of waterways within the state of Pennsylvania, with half being acidic and half being circumneutral. To negate the harmful effects of AMD, ∼300 passive remediation systems have been constructed within the state of Pennsylvania. In this study, we evaluated the microbial community structure and functional capability associated with Middle Branch passive remediation system in central PA. Sediment and water samples were collected from each area within the passive remediation system and its receiving stream. Environmental parameters associated with the remediation system were found to explain a significant amount of variation in microbial community structure. This study revealed shifts in microbial community structure from acidophilic bacteria in raw AMD discharge to a more metabolically diverse set of taxa (i.e., Acidimicrobiales, Rhizobiales, Chthoniobacteraceae) toward the end of the system. Vertical flow ponds and the aerobic wetland showed strong metabolic capability for sulfur redox environments. These findings are integral to the understanding of designing effective passive remediation systems because it provides insight as to how certain bacteria [sulfate reducing bacteria (SRBs) and sulfur oxidizing bacteria (SOBs)] are potentially contributing to a microbially mediated AMD remediation process. This study further supports previous investigations that demonstrated the effectiveness of SRBs in the process of removing sulfate and heavy metals from contaminated water.
Highlights
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is both an economic and ecological issue which results from the oxidized mine tailings of mining operations prior to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977
Limited data on the biology of the systems is collected and the performance of these treatment systems is influenced by the types, amounts, and activities of bacteria and aquatic plants present. To address this gap in research and better understand how microorganisms can contribute to AMD remediation strategies, our study evaluated the spatial distribution of microbial consortia throughout the Middle Branch passive treatment system in Clinton County, Pennsylvania
High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene permitted for an in-depth analysis of diverse aquatic and sediment microbial communities within the Middle Branch passive remediation system in Clinton County, Pennsylvania
Summary
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is both an economic and ecological issue which results from the oxidized mine tailings of mining operations prior to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. Economic issues include a decline in property value and corroded man-made structures (i.e., well casings) and aquifers from exposure to AMD, resulting in harmful sources of water and Passive AMD Remediation Microbial Community recreational activities. AMD can be acidic or circumneutral and contain high levels of heavy metals and sulfate (Ferris et al, 1989). Acidic AMD frequently contains high concentrations of aluminum and manganese, while circumneutral AMD is usually high in iron and sulfate (Kim et al, 2007; Luís et al, 2009). Chronic exposure can result in the bioaccumulation of these contaminants along trophic levels and contribute to the onset of toxicological effects ranging from physiological to reproductive defects (Herlihy et al, 1990; Kim et al, 2007; Ceccatelli et al, 2013; Williams and Turner, 2015)
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