CeBER Publish in Microbiology Open

Thiocyanate (SCN^-) is a toxic compound that forms when cyanide (CN^-), used to recover gold, reacts with sulfur species. SCN^--degrading microbial communities have been studied, using bioreactors fed synthetic wastewater. The inclusion of suspended solids in the form of mineral tailings, during the development of the acclimatized microbial consortium, led to the selection of an active planktonic microbial community. Collectively the presence of the solids and lack of biofilm community may result in a process with reduced resilience to process perturbations, including fluctuations in the influent composition and pH. The results from this investigation have provided novel insights into the community composition of this industrially relevant community, giving potential for improved process control and operation through ongoing process monitoring.

Doi: 10.1002/mbo3.446