Ecological condition and microflora of Shymkent lead-zinc waste

This study investigates the ecological condition and microflora associated with lead-zinc waste in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, aimed at assessing the feasibility of bioleaching. The methodology involved microbiological studies to identify the microflora present in the lead-zinc waste, revealing the presence of species such as Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, Leptospirillum ferrooxidans, Nitrosomonas sp., Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium sp., which contribute to the natural microbial bioleaching process. Additionally, the presence of Amoeba limax and Tokophria sp., along with algae including Oicomonas sp., Navicula sp., and Shlorococcus sp., indicates significant mineralization in the aqueous solutions surrounding the waste. The results of modeling bioleaching processes demonstrate the viability of using microbiological methods for extracting valuable lead and zinc components from the waste. This research underscores the potential for environmentally friendly techniques in the recycling of mining and metallurgical waste, addressing critical environmental concerns in mining regions of Kazakhstan.