Microbial succession during weathering of pyritic tailings: Column model

Mining residues (tailings) undergo major transformations when they are subj ected to changing environmental conditions. This weathering of the residues causes serious environmental problems which affect all mining companies ar ound the world. In the present work the microbiological evolution of pyriti c railings was studied under both laboratory and real environmental conditi ons. A column model peas designed for this purpose. The microbiological sel ection and succession were determined for the real system and then these co nditions were reproduced by means of the column model selected The microbio logical implications of transformation of the mining residues were demonstr ated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.