Biological solubilization of untreated north dakota lignite by a mixed bacterial and a mixed bacterial/fungal culture

Four microbial cultures, two pure and two mixed, were examined for their abilities to solubilize chemically treated (oxidized) lignites, thermally treated (wet-carbonized) lignite, and untreated lignites. Extensive solubilization of oxidized lignites and limited solubilization of untreated North Dakota lignite was observed by three of the four cultures tested. Solubilization of wet-carbonized (a technique to reduce equilibrium moisture and oxygen contents) lignite was not demonstrated. The increase in solubilization correlated with the increase in the oxygen content of lignite and the pH of culture broths. These results also suggest that microbial solubilization of coal may involve nonlignin degrading organisms capable of producing alkaline conditions in the presence of coal.