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Zinc Uptake from Circumneutral Mine Drainage in Freshwater Biofilms: New Insights from In Vitro Experiments

Jones, Ashley; Rogerson, Michael; Greenway, Gillian; Mayes, William M.

Authors

Ashley Jones

Michael Rogerson

Gillian Greenway



Abstract

© 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. We present results from in vitro flask and flume experiments using freshwater biofilms sourced and cultivated from a mine-impacted stream in North Yorkshire, UK. Flask experiments showed rapid uptake of Zn from the water column into biofilms. This uptake was not light dependant and suggests that chelation of Zn by negatively charged functional groups in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secreted within the biofilm are the key sink for Zn. Solid state analysis of the biofilm from the mesocosm system by scanning electron microscopy highlights the presence of calcite precipitates within the EPS, which may provide another sink for Zn. Long-term monitoring of flume systems showed area-adjusted removal rates of ≈0.2 g Zn m < sup > −2 < /sup >  day < sup > −1 < /sup > , which is consistent with many other biologically-mediated mine water treatment systems. Diel (24 h) fluctuations in pH and Zn were observed over a 96 h intensive sampling period in the flumes. Practical considerations for establishing and maintaining biofilms under controlled conditions are also highlighted; these include regulation of light intensity and maintenance of flowing, low nutrient status waters.

Citation

Jones, A., Rogerson, M., Greenway, G., & Mayes, W. M. (2015). Zinc Uptake from Circumneutral Mine Drainage in Freshwater Biofilms: New Insights from In Vitro Experiments. Mine Water and the Environment, 34(3), 295-307. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-015-0325-9

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 30, 2015
Online Publication Date Feb 8, 2015
Publication Date Sep 24, 2015
Deposit Date Apr 2, 2019
Journal Mine Water and the Environment
Print ISSN 1025-9112
Electronic ISSN 1616-1068
Publisher Springer Verlag
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 34
Issue 3
Pages 295-307
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-015-0325-9
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/550367
Publisher URL https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10230-015-0325-9