Lab-scale production of biogenic sulphide for metal precipitation in remote areas

Batch cultures with wheat straw, biomass of Paja Brava (Festuca orthophylla), filter paper, newspaper and beech leaves (Fagus sylvatica) were established to produce sulphide. Sulphide production, sulphate reduction, concentration of Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs), enzyme activities and Fluorescence in situ hybridisation were determined. Approximately 5 mM of sulphide was produced during anaerobic digestion of wheat straw, while the production with newspaper as carbon source was the lowest (ca.1 mM). The sulphide production (2-5 mM) in the semi-continuous culture of the consortium A10, using wheat straw supported Cu(II), Pb (II) and Zn (II) removal up to 90%.