WWRC 97-05s
Effects of Copper on Sulfidogenic Activity in Freshwater Sediments
Abstract
The effects of copper on sulfidogenic activity in
freshwater sediments have been examined. Sulfate-reducing
consortia were enriched from metal-free and
metal-contaminated sediments. Copper ion was
added at three different concentrations. At 0.8 ppm
Cu2+, no inhibitory effects were observed on sulfate
reduction in either consortia; Cu2+ was quickly
precipitated from the media. At 8 ppm CU2+, activity
in the metal-free consortium was significantly
inhibited, as illustrated by an extended lag and slower
rate of sulfate reduction; sulfidogenesis in the metal-contaminated
consortium was unaffected. When
Cu2+ concentration was increased to 30 ppm, the
sulfate reducing activity in the metal-free consortium
was completely inhibited. The rate of sulfate
reduction was also decreased in metal-contaminated
enrichments but recovered after a lag. The results
suggest that the increase in metal tolerance of the
sulfate reducing consortia may be attributed to the
pre-exposure of the microbial population to metals.
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