Mining industry is a source of wealth but also of environmental pollution in Peru. In this study 12 colonies of actinomycetes were isolated in acidic cultures from mineral ores and concentrates from mines of the Peruvian highlands. The isolates were characterized phenotypically by microscopy and growth at different conditions as pH tolerance, temperature, and sodium chloride, heavy metals resistance; ferrous iron and thiosulfate oxidation. All isolates were identified as actinomycetes based on their cultural and spore characteristics. Most of the isolates were able to grow at 8 - 45°C and pH 4 - 11. 60% of isolates grew at 10% NaCl but none of them growth at 13%. Iron oxidation was shown by 60% of isolates at pH 4, but only 25% were able to oxidize iron at pH 2. Thiosulfate oxidation was not detected in any isolate. Most of the isolates showed capacity to grow in medium with 200 ppm of Pb, Fe, Zn and 100 ppm of Cu. All of the physiological characteristics found in this work indicate the potential of these isolates as source for bioremediation and bioleaching.
Isolation and characterization of an acidophilic, heterotrophic bacterium capable of oxidizing ferrous iron.
