• Skowronek, Magdalena
• Merchichi, Amira
• Bodnaruk, Iryna
• Kasperkiewicz, Katarzyna
• Rabia, Hakim
• Augustyniak, Maria
• Malicka, Monika
• Krzykawski, Tomasz
• Hamou, Malek Ould

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Mining and processing of phosphate ore are one of the most important branches of the economy in developing countries, including Algeria. However, this activity can negatively influence the environment, as huge amounts of waste, which contains dangerous metals, are released during ore processing. Therefore, in line with environmental needs, conventional methods of ore beneficiation should be gradually replaced with safe, biotechnological methods that involve (among others) the biosorption phenomenon. This work aimed at the investigation of biosorption abilities of native microorganisms, isolated from Djebel Onk ore (Kef Essnoun region, Algeria). Examined bacterial strains differed in their efficiency of metal accumulation. In the vast majority of native bacteria, the content of Cd or Mg found was higher than in a reference <jats:italic>B. subtilis</jats:italic> strain. Incubation of phosphate ore with selected bacterial strains (for 20 minutes and at different pH) significantly increased the recovery of Mg and Cd. Thus, we showed that biosorption could be much more effective for native bacteria isolated from the specific substrate. We have shown that <jats:italic>Bacillus</jats:italic> sp. HK4 strain can be used to remove various metals over a wide pH range, and it can be considered in the development of eco-friendly measures to clean ore and post-flotation waste.</jats:p>

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