NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Researchers have discovered bacteria that thrive on arsenic even in the cold. The microbe was discovered deep within the Giant mine at Yellowknife. It is similar to microbes found all over the world, but it is unique in its ability to turn arsenite into arsenate in such a cold environment.
Microbiologists Dr. Joanne Santini and Thomas Osborne of University College London (U.K.) announced the discovery at a conference in Dublin, Ireland, earlier this month.
When contacted by CMJ, Santini responded, "The bacteria that has been isolated from both the Giant mine and Baker Creek oxidize the arsenite to arsenate. Arsenate is less mobile and adsorbs to other minerals such as iron, soils, etc. and thus is easier to remove than arsenite. Arsenite is normally oxidized to arsenate using chemicals which are often toxic themselves. I think [using bacteria] would be simpler and cheaper than using chemicals." She also noted that Heather Jamieson of Queen's University in Canada was one of the research collaborators.
The high levels of arsenic in the gold ore of the former Giant mine are well documented within the industry. The Canadian government is leading a project to contains and immobilize 237,000 tonnes of arsenic underground in the old mine workings. More information about the Giant mine remediation project is posted at http://nwt-tno.inac-ainc.gc.ca/giant/gmp-arse-eng.asp.
Hopefully, a co-operative bacteria could speed the process.
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