Abstract
Eleven heterotrophic isolates from an alkaline slag dump, including nine bacteria strains, one fungus and one yeast isolate, were investigated for their ability to leach alkaline siliceous material. The efficiencies of these isolates were compared with those of chemical processes. Under defined experimental conditions, all the organisms demonstrated leaching capability, but, in general, the bacteria were more effective than the fungus or the yeast. The bacteria strains leached up to 38% of the manganese and up to 46% of the magnesium and were more selective than chemical processes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the solid material after leaching showed considerably more surface erosion of the biologically leached material than observed in the control experiments. The possible long-term risks originating from uncontrolled leaching in alkaline waste dumps, as well as the participation of microbial activity in weathering processes of mineral materials, are briefly discussed.
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