@article{Yang2026, 
author = {Qiang Yang and Quan Li and Xiaofen Xia and Yongqiang Ding and Chuyi Zhang and Taotao Yang and Bin Liao and Anfu Liu},
title = {Stepwise Treatment and Valuable Metal Recovery from an Acidic Pyrite Mine Drainage},
year = {2026},
journal = {Ecology and Environmental Sciences},
volume = {35},
number = {9},
pages = {1445-1457},
keywords = {acid mine drainage, pyrite mine, stepwise treatment, integrated reactor system, valuable metal recovery},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.16258/j.cnki.1674-5906.2026.09.011},
doi = {10.16258/j.cnki.1674-5906.2026.09.011},
abstract = {ObjectiveThe direct discharge of acid mine drainage (AMD) severely degrades surrounding ecosystems. This study aims to develop an integrated microbial treatment technology for AMD and achieve the recovery of valuable metal resources.MethodsA microbially based integrated "aerobic-anaerobic" reactor system was constructed to treat AMD from the Yunfu pyrite mine in Guangdong. By combining physicochemical analysis, mineralogical characterization, and 16S rRNA gene V4 region sequencing, we systematically investigated the treatment performance and the response mechanisms of the microbial community.ResultsThe effluent pH increased from 2.23 to 8.17, with 100% removal of Fe3+, Al3+, Zn2+, and Cu2+, and 97% and 88% removal of Mn2+ and SO42−, respectively. Aerobic iron oxidation and primary alkali neutralization led to the formation of schwertmannite, while further alkali neutralization produced jarosite and hydrated iron oxides. The subsequent pretreatment and anaerobic stages effectively precipitated ionic species, including Zn2+, Cu2+ and Mn2+. The aerobic reactor was dominated by acidophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria (e.g., Acidiphilium and Ferroplasma), which mediated ferrous iron oxidation and mineral formation was critical for iron removal. The anaerobic reactor enriched sulfate-reducing bacteria (e.g., Desulfosporosinus and Clostridium), driving sulfate reduction and metal sulfide precipitation. Notably, the anaerobic microbial community structure was significantly influenced by pH.ConclusionThe system leveraged the metabolic activity of iron-oxidizing bacteria in the aerobic reactor and sulfate-reducing bacteria in the anaerobic unit to achieve stepwise AMD treatment and valuable metal recovery. These findings demonstrate a promising technical solution, in which the metabolic potential of iron- and sulfur-cycling microbes is deployed for AMD treatment.}
}