Use of Bioflocculants for Mining Environmental Control

Production, characterization and utility of bacterially-produced bioflocculants are illustrated. Three different bacterial strains, namely, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus firmus and Bacillus megaterium were used to demonstrate environmentally—benign bioflocculant production. The bioflocculants could be effectively used for turbidity removal from aqueous solutions through rapid settling of mineral suspensions, removal of toxic metals such as arsenic and chromium and to synthesize metal nanoparticles such as silver nanoparticles for efficient removal of environment-degrading bacterial species. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using bioflocculants for use in deactivating Acidithiobacillus bacteria which are implicated in the generation of acid mine drainage, is demonstrated.