METHOD FOR PRODUCING HYDROGEN SULPHIDE AND THE USE THEREOF, IN PARTICULAR, FOR DEPOLLUTING HEAVY METAL-CONTAINING FLOWS

摘要

A process for the decontamination of an effluent containing one or more dissolved metals is provided. The process includes producing hydrogen sulphide in an aqueous medium by culturing alkaliphilic sulphate-reducing or thio-sulphate reducing bacteria in the presence of an organic compound serving as an electron donor and in the presence of a sulphurous compound serving as an electron acceptor. The effluent is contacted with the hydrogen sulphide and the dissolved metals are reduced and/or precipitated in the form of metal sulphides.