Abstract: Applied Biosciences has developed a biological technology for removal of arsenic, nitrate, selenium, and other metals from mining and industrial waste waters. The ABMet((R)) technology was implemented at a closed gold mine site in Canada for removing arsenic from tailings pond water. The system included six bioreactors that began treating water in the spring of 2004. Design criteria incorporated a maximum flow of 567 L/min (150 gallons per minute) and water temperatures ranging from 10 degrees C to 15 degrees C. Influent arsenic concentrations range from 0.5 mg/L to 1.5 mg/L. The ABMet((R)) technology consistently removes arsenic to below detection limits (0.02 mg/L). Data from the full scale system will be presented, as well as regulatory requirements and site specific challenges.

Abstract: A Mn-oxidizing fungus was isolated from a constructed wetland of Hokkaido (Japan), which is receiving the Mn-impacted drainage, and genetically and morphologically identified as Paraconiothyrium sp.-like strain. The optimum pHs were 6.45-6.64, where is more acidic than those of previously reported Mn-oxidizing fungi. Too much nutrient inhibited fungal Mn-oxidation, and too little nutrient also delayed Mn oxidation even at optimum pH. In order to achieve the oxidation of high concentrations of Mn like mine drainage containing several hundreds g-m(-3) of Mn, it is important to find the best mix ratio among the initial Mn concentrations, inocolumn size and nutrient concentration. The strain has still Mn-tolerance with more than 380 g-m(-3) of Mn, but high Mn(II) oxidation was limited by pH control and supplied nutrient amounts. The biogenic Mn deposit was poorly crystallized birnessite. The strain is an unique Mn-oxidizing fungus having a high Mn tolerance and weakly acidic tolerance, since there has been no record about the property of the strain. There is a potentiality to apply the strain to the environmental bioremediation.