Antibiotic Indexing and Heavy Metal Reduction Potential of Four Multi-metal Tolerant Bacterial Strains in Real-Time Sanitary Landfill Leachate Matrix.

Abstract

Sanitary leachate from urban landfills is known to be contaminated with multi-metals and residual antibiotics. Current research edges on exploring the multi-metal and antibiotic sensitivity profile of four indigenous strains, "Brevibacillus spp. Leclercia spp. Pseudescherichia spp., and Brucella spp." isolated from the leachate of a sanitary landfill in a tropical region. Indigenous isolates were observed to be antibiotic-resistant and have high tolerance against eight of the ten tested metals except Cu & Co. It was observed that interaction with multi-metals in laboratory conditions significantly altered the cell morphology of bacterial strains, as depicted by Scanning Electron Microscope. Metal adsorption onto the microbial surface was deciphered through Electron Dispersive Spectrometer analysis and elemental mapping. Application of isolated strains into real-time leachate matrix exhibits a complete reduction of Ag and Zn and for other tested metals. Their response to these toxicants may facilitate their application in bioremediation-based treatment technologies for urban landfill leachate.