Bioleaching of trace metals from coal ash using local isolate from coal ash ponds

Bioleaching of chromium, copper, manganese and zinc from coal ash were investigated using isolates from coal ash ponds particularly Psuedomonas spp . Six (6) different coal ash ponds were examined however, after initial screening Psuedomonas spp . were only present in three (3) coal ash ponds. Among the three coal ash ponds, results showed that eight (8) putative Pseudomonas spp . isolates were present that were identified using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Using the eight putative Pseudomonas spp . for bioleaching at optimum conditions and 15 days, the pH value ranges from 8.26 to 8.84 which was basic in nature. Moreover, the maximum metal leached were 8.04% Cr, 12.05% Cu, 4.34% Mn and 10.63% Zn.