Physical, Chemical, and Microbiological Characterization of Kettara Mine Tailings, Morocco

The mining industry is of major importance to Morocco’s economy. However, the abandoned pyritic mines are a source potentially toxic elements that can cause disruption surrounding ecosystems, constituting huge threat wellbeing and human health. present study aimed analyze physical chemical characteristics different types tailings investigate microbial populations acidophilic bacteria involved in oxidation pyrite. Coarse fine collected from zones mine (dike pond) at two depths (oxidized non-oxidized residues) were analyzed for their pH, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon, nitrogen, available P, elements, pseudo-total metal concentrations. abundance was determined, some bacterial strains isolated tested tolerance. Tailings showed pH ≈ 2, very low nutritional content, high concentrations Cu, As, Zn, Pb, which higher samples. counts iron- sulfur-oxidizing than heterotrophic bacteria, with highest numbers detected oxidized tailings. five affiliated genera Alicyclobacillus Sulfobacillus, commonly found this kind environment.