Biomarkers for industrial mine-water treatment bioreactors

Teck Metals Ltd. is currently investigating the use of bioreactors to remove nitrate and selenium from mine-impacted water in the Elk River Valley. Successful performance of these bioreactors depends on the types of microorganisms that inhabit them, which is difficult to measure using traditional methods. In this project, the recent science of metagenomics will be used to study the bioreactor microbial communities. The goal will be to understand what factors influence the structure and function of the bioreactor microbial community so that operators know how to maintain stable performance of the treatment system. Based on what types of microbes are found in these reactors, we will develop a quick and easy-to-use tool for the bioreactor operators to use for monitoring bioreactor health. This will allow the operators to predict incipient deviations from ideal performance and guide them on what mitigative actions to take.

Faculty Supervisor:

Susan Baldwin

Student:

Partner:

Teck Resources Ltd;Teck Metals Ltd (Trail, BC)

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: