Microbial diversity and function in rehabilitated bauxite residue

The aim of this study is to determine the microbiological community living in rehabilitated bauxite residue. Bauxite residue is a large volume (150+ million tonnes produced annual), highly alkaline and sodic waste. Rehabilitation using gypsum and organic matter has produced a neutral pH soil-like zone where there is active macro- and microbiological activity. We are investigating how the microbial community may be driving this rehabilitation in the long-term.