Effects of physicochemical properties of Au cyanidation tailings on cyanide microbial degradation.

The initial cyanide (CN) concentration and amount of co-contaminants in GCTs can inhibit bacterial growth and reduce the CN-degrading ability of bacteria. Several microorganisms can biotransform a wide range of organic and inorganic industrial contaminants into nontoxic compounds. However, active enzymatic CN metabolism processes are mostly constrained by the physical and chemical characteristics of GCTs. High concentrations of toxic metal co-contaminants, such as, Pb, and Cr, and factors, such as pH, temperature, and oxygen concentration create oxidative stress and limit the CN-degrading potential of cyanotrophic strains. The effects of such external and internal factors on the CN-degrading ability of bacteria hinder the selection of suitable microorganisms for CN biodegradation. Therefore, understanding the effects of the physicochemical properties of GCTs on cyanobacteria strains can help identify suitable microbes and favorable environmental conditions to promote microbial growth and can also help design efficient CN biodegradation processes. In this review, we present a detailed analysis of the physicochemical properties of GCTs and their effects on microbial CN degradation.