[Participation of heterotrophic microorganisms in the purification of drainage waters from heavy metal ions].

Heterotrophic microorganisms can grow in the presence of toxic components contained in industrial drainage of non-ferrous metal industry. The content of microorganisms correlates with the concentration of organic substances of plant origin in drainage waters. In the course of mineralization, heavy metal ions are immobilized and precipitated as stable metal-organic complexes with microbial metabolites. The rate of metal precipitation increases in the presence of aerobically decomposed plant material. The results obtained can be employed for purification of drainage waters from metal ions.