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Characterization of an autotrophic bioreactor microbial consortium degrading thiocyanate

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Abstract

Thiocyanate (SCN−) forms as a by-product of cyanidation during gold ore processing and can be degraded by a variety of microorganisms utilizing it as an energy, nitrogen, sulphur and/or carbon source. In complex consortia inhabiting bioreactor systems, a range of metabolisms are sustained by SCN− degradation; however, despite the addition or presence of labile carbon sources in most bioreactor designs to date, autotrophic bacteria have been found to dominate key metabolic functions. In this study, we cultured an autotrophic SCN−-degrading consortium directly from gold mine tailings. In a batch-mode bioreactor experiment, this consortium degraded 22 mM SCN−, accumulating ammonium (NH4 +) and sulphate (SO4 2−) as the major end products. The consortium consisted of a diverse microbial community comprised of chemolithoautotrophic members, and despite the absence of an added organic carbon substrate, a significant population of heterotrophic bacteria. The role of eukaryotes in bioreactor systems is often poorly understood; however, we found their 18S rRNA genes to be most closely related to sequences from bacterivorous Amoebozoa. Through combined chemical and phylogenetic analyses, we were able to infer roles for key microbial consortium members during SCN− biodegradation. This study provides a basis for understanding the behaviour of a SCN− degrading bioreactor under autotrophic conditions, an anticipated approach to remediating SCN− at contemporary gold mines.

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Acknowledgements

Funding for this research was provided by Newmarket Gold Inc. We gratefully acknowledge David Coe, Will Wettenhall, Yan Lim and Megan Parnaby for access to the field site, assistance when collecting the samples and providing access to historic chemical data.

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  1. School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne, Vic, Parkville, Australia

    Mathew Paul Watts, Liam Patrick Spurr & John William Moreau

  2. School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

    Han Ming Gan

  3. Genomics Facility, Tropical Medicine and Biology Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

    Han Ming Gan

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  1. Mathew Paul Watts
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Correspondence to John William Moreau.

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This study was funded by Newmarket Gold Inc.

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Watts, M.P., Spurr, L.P., Gan, H.M. et al. Characterization of an autotrophic bioreactor microbial consortium degrading thiocyanate. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 101, 5889–5901 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-017-8313-6

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