Utilisation of aliphatic compounds by acidophilic heterotrophic bacteria. The potential for bioremediation of acidic wastewaters contaminated with toxic organic compounds and heavy metals

Acidophilic, heterotrophic bacteria isolated from acidic mine effluent meta bolised a range of aliphatic compounds. Aliphatic acids, which are normally thought to be toxic to acidophiles, were utilised as substrates for energy and growth by these bacteria. This biodegradative ability, concomitant wit h their tolerance of heavy metals, has demonstrated the potential for using these organisms for the bioremediation of multiply contaminated acidic was tewaters. (C) 2000 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Publis hed by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.