emily stoick
microbially induced metal precipitation in mine influenced water.
The Carpenter-Snow Creek EPA Superfund site in central Montana discharges mine influenced water with high concentrations of zinc, cadmium, copper, and lead into both Carpenter Creek and Snow Creek, which flow into Belt Creek. At present Carpenter and Snow Creek are completely devoid of fish.
Emily Stoick, a graduate student at Montana State University, is researching the application of microbially-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) in conjunction with biotic sulfate reduction for the removal of metals from mine influenced water (MIW) at the Carpenter-Snow Creek Superfund site. Treatability studies have concluded that MICP and sulfate reduction separately can successfully remove metals from MIW at this site. Past research has not investigated the application of MICP in a two-step process with sulfate reduction to promote metal sulfide precipitation. Native bacteria necessary for both processes are present at the site. Emily will test this potential remediation strategy and eventually determine design parameters for implementation in the field.