Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Analysis, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, Warsaw, Poland.
Environ Sci Technol. 2010 Apr 1;44(7):2433-40. doi: 10.1021/es903298t.
The role of indigenous microorganisms in the biotransformation of refractory organic-rich copper-bearing black shale ore (Kupferschiefer) was confirmed in laboratory experiments. The persistent shale's organic matter was utilized by a mixture of bacterial strains as the sole carbon and energy source, and bacterial growth was accompanied by chemical and structural changes of black shale. The release of metallic elements and organic compounds into the aqueous phase was shown. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons and further biodegradation of these compounds by bacterial action. In this study, the release of metals from metalloorganic compounds present in organic-rich copper-bearing black shale was shown for the first time. The results have also confirmed the biotransformation of metalloporphyrins naturally occurring in black shale by indigenous microorganisms. Moreover, changes in the surface area and quantitative mineral composition of black shale were detected following bacterial treatment. This biotransformation activity is of potential use in biotechnological procedures for the recovery of copper and other valuable metals from tailings that contain up to 16% black shale. On the other hand, the release of organic carbon and heavy metals from black shale by biodegradation may significantly add to anthropogenic pollution.
实验室实验证实了土著微生物在难处理富有机质含铜黑色页岩矿石（Kupferschiefer）生物转化中的作用。持久的页岩有机质被混合细菌菌株用作唯一的碳源和能源，细菌生长伴随着黑色页岩的化学和结构变化。显示出金属元素和有机化合物释放到水相。化学分析表明存在长链脂肪族烃，并且通过细菌作用进一步生物降解这些化合物。在这项研究中，首次显示了存在于富有机质含铜黑色页岩中的金属有机化合物中金属的释放。结果还证实了土著微生物对天然存在于黑色页岩中的金属卟啉的生物转化。此外，在细菌处理后检测到黑色页岩的表面积和定量矿物组成的变化。这种生物转化活性在生物技术程序中具有潜在的用途，可从含有高达 16%黑色页岩的尾矿中回收铜和其他有价值的金属。另一方面，生物降解导致的黑色页岩中有机碳和重金属的释放可能会显著增加人为污染。
