Abstract: A biosorbent for removing cationic and/or anionic metals from aqueous solutions, and a process for the production of the biosorbent. The biosorbent includes bacterial aggregates of Bacillus sp. VCHB-10, deposited as NRRL-B-30881, and treated with polyethyleneimine and glutaraldehyde. Among the metals in their cationic form, the following are considered: cations of Ag, Al, Au, Co, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, U, Th and Zn. Among the metals in their anionic form, the following are considered: anions of As, Cr and Mo. Removal or recovery of metals from wastewater using the biosorbent is also described.

Abstract: A biosorbent for removing cationic and/or anionic metals from aqueous solutions, and a process for the production of the biosorbent. The biosorbent includes bacterial aggregates of Bacillus sp. VCHB-10, deposited as NRRL-B-30881, and treated with polyethyleneimine and glutaraldehyde. Among the metals in their cationic form, the following are considered: cations of Ag, Al, Au, Co, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, U, Th and Zn. Among the metals in their anionic form, the following are considered: anions of As, Cr and Mo. Removal or recovery of metals from wastewater using the biosorbent is also described.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a rapid method for detection of the presence of acidophilic microorganisms in aqueous samples, such as acid mine drainages or acid rock drainages, bioleaching solutions or solutions from heap leaching; or in solid samples, such as minerals or concentrates subjected to bioleaching or the like. The method comprises the following steps: a) concentrating acidophilic microorganisms from a given volume of aqueous sample or from a suspension of microorganisms extracted from a solid sample; b) removing the agents that are inhibitory for the bioluminiscence reaction by washing the previously concentrated acidophilic microorganisms by means of one or more treatments with aqueous washing agents; and c) extracting adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) from the acidophilic microorganisms and measuring the light generated by such ATP by means of any bioluminiscence detection system.