Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

IDENTIFICATION OF MERCURY-RESISTANT BACTERIA AS A POTENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR MERCURY BIO REMEDIATION.

Muhammad FauzulImron, Setyo Budi Kurniawan and Agoes Soegianto

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the potential of mercury resistant bacteria isolated from non-active solid waste landfill leachate. Biochemical characterization was used to identify the bacteria based on Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. Biochemical analysis showed the potential bacteria was identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens with probability of 92.74%. Four concentrations of mercury, i.e. 5, 10,15 and 20/mg/L, were used for mercury resistance test. The IZD values at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/L were 0.00±0.00, 0.7±0.03, 0.8±0.05, 1±0.08, and 1±0.05 cm, respectively. The MIC of mercury for P. fluorencens is 5mg/L. These results showed that P. fluorescens has a good potential to be used as bioremediation agent intreating mercury contaminated areas.