Accelerating microbial iron cycling is an innovative environmentally responsible strategy for mine remediation. In the present study, we extend the application of microbial iron cycling in environmental remediation, to include biocementation for the aggregation and stabilization of mine wastes. Microbial iron reduction was promoted monthly for 10 months in crushed canga (a by‐product from iron ore mining, dominated by crystalline iron oxides) in 1 m³ containers. Ferrous iron concentrations reached 445 ppm in treatments and diverse lineages of the candidate phyla radiation dominated pore waters, implicating them in fermentation and/or metal cycling in this system. After a 6‐month evaporation period, iron‐rich cements had formed between grains and 20‐cm aggregates were recoverable from treatments throughout the 1‐m depth profile, while material from untreated and water‐only controls remained unconsolidated. Canga‐adapted plants seeded into one of the treatments germinated and grew well. Therefore, application of this geobiotechnology offers promise for stabilization of mine wastes, as well as re‐formation of surface crusts that underpin unique and threatened plant ecosystems in iron ore regions.

中文翻译：

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加速微生物的铁循环可促进铁矿石区域表层结皮的再胶结。

加快微生物铁循环是一种创新的对环境负责的矿山修复策略。在本研究中，我们扩展了微生物铁循环在环境修复中的应用，包括生物胶凝技术用于矿山废物的聚集和稳定。在压碎的嘎嘎（铁矿石开采的副产品，主要由晶体氧化铁）中，每月提倡微生物还原铁持续10个月，时间为1 m ³容器。在处理过程中，亚铁辐射的主要成分以不同的谱系为主导，亚铁浓度达到445 ppm，这意味着它们参与了该系统的发酵和/或金属循环。经过6个月的蒸发期后，在晶粒之间形成了富铁水泥，在整个1 m深度剖面中，可从处理过程中回收20 cm的骨料，而未经处理和仅用水的对照材料仍未固化。播种到其中一种处理中的可适应Canga的植物发芽并生长良好。因此，这种地球生物技术的应用为稳定矿山废料以及重塑铁矿石地区独特而受威胁的植物生态系统的地壳重建提供了希望。