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Peruvian Native Bacterial Strains as Potential Bioremediation Agents in Hg-Polluted Soils by Artisanal Mining Activities in Southern Peru

Author

Listed:
  • Patricia López-Casaperalta

    (Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Urb. San José s/n, Umacollo, Arequipa 04013, Peru)

  • Camilo Febres-Molina

    (Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370134, Chile)

  • Jorge Alberto Aguilar-Pineda

    (Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Urb. San José s/n, Umacollo, Arequipa 04013, Peru)

  • Julio Cesar Bernabe-Ortiz

    (Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Urb. San José s/n, Umacollo, Arequipa 04013, Peru)

  • Fernando Fernandez-F

    (Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Urb. San José s/n, Umacollo, Arequipa 04013, Peru)

Abstract

Bioremediation of soils and waters due to mercury (Hg) contamination represents one of the most critical environmental challenges. In addition, this challenge is even greater in arid soils due to the low economic interest in these regions. Such is the case of the Secocha Annex, located in the Arequipa province of Camaná in Southern Peru. In this region, the excessive use of Hg in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activities has seriously endangered the health of its inhabitants. Unfortunately, there are few projects aimed at improving the environmental and sanitary conditions of this locality. An alternative to conventional cleaning technology is the use of native microorganisms that allow the recovery of ecological environments with low-cost and low-tech techniques. This work aims to present two new Hg-resistant bacterial strains obtained from Hg-polluted soils of the Secocha Annex as potential bioremediation agents. Both strains showed growth capacity on Hg substrates and their adsorption behaviors and Hg removal capacities were evaluated. By deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis, both Gram-positive strains were identified as Kocuria sp. (99.35% similarity) and Zhihengliuella sp. (99.78% similarity). Spectrometry results showed elimination capacities with values close to 28.4 and 33.3 % in an incubation time period of 45 days, with the maximum elimination efficiency in the first 24 h. These results are encouraging and offer new possibilities for the use of native strains in the bioremediation of arid soils contaminated with Hg in the Secocha Annex. Furthermore, due to the low cost and minimization of negative impacts, this technique and our bacterial strains could be used in other regions of Peru.

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia López-Casaperalta & Camilo Febres-Molina & Jorge Alberto Aguilar-Pineda & Julio Cesar Bernabe-Ortiz & Fernando Fernandez-F, 2022. "Peruvian Native Bacterial Strains as Potential Bioremediation Agents in Hg-Polluted Soils by Artisanal Mining Activities in Southern Peru," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:16:p:10272-:d:891629
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mert Guney & Zhanel Akimzhanova & Aiganym Kumisbek & Kamila Beisova & Symbat Kismelyeva & Aliya Satayeva & Vassilis Inglezakis & Ferhat Karaca, 2020. "Mercury (Hg) Contaminated Sites in Kazakhstan: Review of Current Cases and Site Remediation Responses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-42, December.
    2. Fatih Aranoglu & Tulay Flamand & Sebnem Duzgun, 2022. "Analysis of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Peru under Climate Impacts Using System Dynamics Modeling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-21, June.
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