Biotransformation of Phosphogypsum by Sulphate-Reducing Bacteria in Media Containing Different Sources of Carbon

Mixture of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) (Desulfotomaculum, Desulfovibro, Desulfotomonas) were studied for the biotransformation of phosphogypsum. This study shows that the greatest reduction of phosphogypsum (g/l) was possible among different cultures of carbon containing lactate (3.65), ethanol (2.9), casein (2.8); the melting rate was lower in the medium containing glucose (2.1), and three fold less in the medium with sodium acetate(1.35) almost. The biotransformation of phosphogypsum, was calculated on the basis of amount of hydrogen sulphide in cultures. In the studied cultures the greatest amount of hydrogen sulphide was produced from medium containing alcohol (1.29g/l). These isolated bacteria were found to be very effective in the reduction of (2.15 g/l) sulfate from phosphogypsum, with (98.03 %) reduction of Chemical Oxygen Demand in medium with glucose. The greatest amount of dissolved phosphogypsum was removed from medium containing Lactate, ethanol, casein respectively as sources of carbon.