Open AccessAccelerating microbial iron cycling promotes re‐cementation of surface crusts in iron ore regions
Author(s) -
Gagen Emma J.,
Levett Alan,
Paz Anat,
Bostelmann Heike,
Valadares Rafael Borges da Silva,
Bitencourt José Augusto Pires,
Gastauer Markus,
Nunes Gisele Lopes,
Oliveira Guilherme,
Vasconcelos Paulo M.,
Tyson Gene W.,
Southam Gordon
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
microbial biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.287
H-Index - 74
ISSN - 1751-7915
DOI - 10.1111/1751-7915.13646
Subject(s) - iron ore , ferrous , cycling , environmental remediation , environmental science , iron bacteria , environmental chemistry , direct reduced iron , metallurgy , chemistry , geology , materials science , contamination , ecology , biology , bacteria , paleontology , archaeology , history
We promoted microbial iron reduction and subsequent iron oxidation, in crushed iron‐rich mine waste at pilot scale (~1 m 3 ). Repeated iron cycling led to the formation of new iron oxide cements cementing grains and aggregating the waste material. The technology has promise for accelerating remediation of iron ore mine sites.