Isolation and Characterization of Hg and Pb Reducing Bacteria in Several Contaminated Habitats

Abstract

Wastes contaminated with heavy metals mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) are hazardous and usually found in various habitats. Impacts of heavy metal Hg are more dangerous than Pb, not only in contamination of the environment but also destruction of organisms. One of the techniques to reduce the harmful effects of heavy metals is bioremediation. In this study, the bioremediation process was carried out using indigenous bacteria isolated from several contaminated habitats. Indigenous bacteria were obtained by taking soil sediments samples from brick factory, Bogor Botanical Gardens river sediment, and former gold mining side, Pongko and liquid samples from the river at Bogor Botanical Gardens. The best potential isolates of Hg (HGKRB5) and Pb (PBBTKi) reducing bacteria were obtained. HGKRB5 was isolated from the river at Bogor Botanical Gardens and PBBTKi from the soil of the brick factory. The result of the bioassay test showed HGKRB5 was capable to remediate io ppm Hg contaminated water after 2 hours of inoculation. On the other hand, PBBTKi was also able to remediate io ppm Pb contaminated water. In this study, the effectiveness of bioremediation HGKRB5 was 99% (mortality 67%) and PBBTKi reached i00% (no mortality).