Microbial cycling of iron and sulfur in sediments of acidic and pH-neutral mining lakes in Lusatia (Brandenburg, Germany) |
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Authors: | Jutta Meier Hans-Dietrich Babenzien Katrin Wendt-Potthoff |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India; |
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Abstract: | A vast number of lakes developed in the abandoned opencast lignite mines of Lusatia (East Germany) contain acidic waters (mmol S m–2 a–). Potential Fe(III) reduction measured by the accumulation of Fe(II) during anoxic incubation yielded similar rates in both types of sediments, however, the responses towards the supplementation of Fe(III) and organic carbon were different. Sulfate reduction rates estimated with 35S-radiotracer were much lower in the slightly acidic sediment than in the pH-neutral sediment (156 v.s. 738 mmol SO4
2– m–2 a–1). However, sulfate reduction rates were increased by the addition of organic carbon. Severe limitation of sulfate-reducing bacteria under acidic conditions was also reflected by low most probable numbers (MPN). High MPN of acidophilic iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in acidic sediments indicated a high reoxidation potential. The results show that potentials for reductive processes are present in acidic sediments and that these are determined mainly by the availability of oxidants and organic matter. |
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Keywords: | Acidic mining lakes Acidophilic microorganisms Iron(III) reduction Sediment Sulfate Reduction |
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