Caryl Ann Becerra, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Microbiology Department, 639 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003, Tel: 413-545-1204, Email: cbecerra@microbio.umass.edu

Acid mine drainage is one of the largest widespread environmental problems which is exarcerbated by mining activities.  Methods to prevent AMD production and methods to remediate AMD are both time consuming and expensive.  Promoting the natural attenuation of sites affected by AMD offers a more cost-effective strategy for the mining industry.

Davis Mine in Rowe, Massachusetts is an acid mine drainage site where natural attenuation is occurring.  The natural attenuation at this site may be due to the dilution of unpolluted water into the area and/or microbial activity such as sulfate reduction.  In previous studies, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were found at this site.  The main goal of the study is to determine the contribution of microbial sulfate reduction to the natural attenuation observed at Davis Mine using several techniques to measure sulfate reduction activity.  Microbial sulfate reduction rates are determined through microcosm studies with amended Davis mine water and SRB media buffered at pH 3.  A sediment core depth analysis of sulfate reduction rates was also determined for Well 14, Well 15, and C2 using radio-isotopes of sulfate. 

By determining the rate of sulfate reduction and the abundance and diversity of SRB’s in AMD site, we can provide estimates of their likely importance in other global settings.  Besides the remediation of AMD, this research will provide new information for developing remediation strategies of other acidic metal contaminated industrial waste streams.

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