Potential use of Bacillus genera for metals removal from spent catalysts

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to isolate microorganisms able to tolerate Ni2+ and V5+ from different sites located close to a mineral mine in Guanajuato, Mexico, and then to evaluate their ability to remove metals contained in a spent catalyst. Seventeen isolates were obtained; among them seven presented a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) higher than 200 mg/L of Ni2+ and V5+ each. Nickel and Vanadium removal was evaluated in 9 K liquid medium added with spent catalyst at 16% (s/v) pulp density and incubated at 30 °C, 150 rpm for 7 days. Only three isolates which were coded as PRGSd-MS-2, MNSH2-AH-3, and MNSS-AH-4 showed a significant removal at the end of treatment corresponding in mg kg−1 (or percentage metal removal) of 138 (32%), 123 (29%), and 101 (24%) for Ni, respectively; and 557 (26%), 737 (34%), and 456 (21%) mg kg−1 for V, respectively. The same isolates were capable to remove also Al, Fe, As, and Mg at different extent. Cell morphology changes were observed, in comparison to the control system at the end of biological treatment as a higher quantity of spores for MNSH2-AH-3, 2 μm cells in pairs for MNSS-AH-4, also long chain-vegetative cells having inclusions into the cell surface were observed for PRGSd-MS-2. The three isolated microorganisms were identified by sequencing of the 16S gene as Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus sp, respectively, suggesting its potential use in the treatment of this solid industrial waste.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)701-710
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Environmental Science and Health - Part A Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering
Volume54
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 3 Jul 2019

Keywords

  • Bacillus
  • metals
  • removal
  • spent catalyst

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