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The microbiota plays an important role in the processes of plant overgrowth of coal mine waste dumps, enabling the transformation of numerous compounds into forms available to plants. The overgrowth of coal mine dumps is influenced by many factors. Pioneers are plant species that have a wide ecological and phytocenotic amplitude. Calamagrostis epigeios (L.) Roth. occupies a special place among them. The composition of the microbiota of the rhizosphere zone of C. epigeios was studied in relation to the age of the plants and the stage of the succession of the “Vizeyska” mine dump (Ukraine). It was established and confirmed as a result of two-factor variance analysis that the growth phase of C. epigeios and the stage of the succession of coal mine waste dumps have different effects on the number of microorganisms from the rhizosphere zone of plants. The number of pedotrophic microorganisms, microorganisms that metabolize nitrogen of organic compounds, cellulose-degrading microorganisms, and microscopic fungi depended more on the age of C. epigeios, and not on the stage of the succession of the studied area. The number of chemolithotrophic bacteria, particularly thiobacteria, decreased with the change of the growth phase of C. epigeios. The number of acidophobic thiobacteria depended more on the stage of succession, and the number of acidophilic thiobacteria depended more on the age of the C. epigeios. The number of microorganisms that metabolize nitrogen of organic compounds, oligonitrophilic microorganisms and microorganisms that metabolize nitrogen of inorganic compounds in the samples of tailings from the area with grasses and perennials and from the area with grasses, shrubs, and sun-loving trees was higher, compared to the number of these groups of microorganisms in the control and changed with the change in the growth phase of C. epigeios. The number of microorganisms that metabolize nitrogen of organic compounds, oligonitrophilic microrganisms and microorganisms that metabolize nitrogen of inorganic compounds was the highest in the samples from the area with grasses, shrubs, and sun-loving trees during the adult growth phase of C. epigeios. In the area where C. epigeios dominated within the vegetation, the highest number of microorganisms that metabolize nitrogen of organic compounds was also during the adult phase of C. epigeios, and the number of bacteria that assimilate mineral forms of nitrogen and oligonitrophilic microorganisms was the highest during the sub-adult stage. The index of pedotrophicity is higher in the samples taken in the area where C. epigeios prevails among other herbaceous plants, and where in the tree layer there are Betula pendula, Populus tremula with an admixture of Pinus sylvestris. Pedotrophicity indices which were calculated for these samples do not depend on the growth stage of C. epigeios and are higher than for the control area. Immobilization-mobilization of nitrogen indices in samples of tailings from the area with grasses and perennials and from the area with grasses, shrubs, and sun-loving trees ranged from 1.94 to 3.52 and were higher compared to the control site.

This article presents the regularities of reduction of sulfur, nitrate and nitrite ions by sulfur reducing bacteria Desulfuromonas sp., which were isolated from the water of the man-made Yavorivske Lake (Lviv Region, Ukraine), under the influence of potassium dichromate. This bacteria in the process of anaerobic respiration can use and reduce different electron acceptors, such as sulfur, nitrates, nitrites, oxidized forms of heavy metals, in particular, hexavalent chromium. Technogenically altered ecotopes are characterized by complex pollution, so several electron acceptors are available to bacteria at the same time. Strains of microorganisms isolated from such ecotopes are adapted to unfavourable conditions and therefore have high biotechnological potential. The purpose of this work was to investigate the regularities of elemental sulfur, nitrate or nitrite ion usage by sulfidogenic bacteria of Desulfuromonas genus in conditions of simultaneous presence in the medium of another electron acceptor – Cr(VI), to establish the succession of reduction of electron acceptors by strains of these bacteria and to evaluate the efficiency of their possible application in technologies of complex purification of the environment from metal compounds and other inorganic toxicants. Bacteria were grown under anaerobic conditions in Kravtsov-Sorokin medium without SO42– and without Mohr’s salt for 10 days. To study the efficiency of sulfur, nitrate or nitrite ions’ reduction at simultaneous presence in the medium of Cr(VI) bacteria were sown in media with elemental sulfur, NaNO3, NaNO2 or K2Cr2O7 to final S0, NO3–, NO2–or Cr(VI) concentration in the medium of 3.47 (concentration of SO42– in medium of standard composition) or 1.74, 3.47, 5.21, 6.94 and 10.41 mM. Biomass was determined by the turbidimetric method, and the concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, ammonium ions, hydrogen sulfide, Cr(VI), Cr(ІІІ) in cultural liquid were determined spectrophotometrically. It has been established that Cr(VI) inhibits the biomass accumulation and hydrogen sulfide production by bacteria of Desulfuromonas sp. after simultaneous addition into the medium of 3.47 mM S0 and 1.74–10.41 mM Cr(VI). In the medium with the same initial content (3.47 mM) of S0 and Cr(VI) bacteria produced Cr(III) at concentrations 3.3–3.4 times higher than that of hydrogen sulfide. It has been shown that K2Cr2O7 inhibits biomass accumulation, nitrate ions’ reduction and ammonium ions’ production by bacteria after simultaneous addition into the medium of 3.47 mM NO3– and 1.74–10.41 mM Cr(VI) or 1.74–10.41 mM NO3– and 3.47 mM Cr(VI). In the medium with the same initial content (3.47 mM) of NO3– and Cr(VI) bacteria reduced up to 1.2 times more nitrate ions than Cr(VI) with the production of ammonium ions at concentrations the same times higher than those of Cr(III). It has been established that K2Cr2O7 inhibits biomass accumulation, nitrite ions’ reduction and ammonium ions’ production by bacteria after simultaneous addition into the medium of 3.47 mM NO2– and 1.74–10.41 mM Cr(VI) or 1.74–10.41 mM NO2– and 3.47 mM Cr(VI). In the medium with the same initial content of (3.47 mM) NO2– and Cr(VI) the reduction of Cr(VI) by bacteria was only slightly, up to 1.1 times, lower than the reduction of nitrite ions, almost the same concentrations of trivalent chromium and ammonium ions were detected in the cultural liquid. The processes of nitrate and nitride reduction carried out by bacteria of Desulfuromonas genus were revealed to be less sensitive to the negative influence of sodium dichromate, as compared with the process of sulfur reduction, because in the media with the same initial content (3.47 mM) of NO3– or NO2– and Cr(VI) bacteria produced 1.1–1.2 times more NH4+ than Cr(III), but in the medium with the same initial content (3.47 mM) of S0 and Cr(VI) ) bacteria produced over than three times more Cr(III) than hydrogen sulfide. Our data allow us to conclude that bacteria of Desulfuromonas genus, the investigated strains of which are adapted to high concentrations (up to 10.41 mM) of inorganic toxicants, play an important role in the geochemical cycles of sulfur, nitrogen and chromium in aquatic environments that have been under anthropogenic influence.

Heavy metals that enter the environment due to natural processes or industrial activities, when accumulated, have a negative impact on organisms, including microorganisms. Microorganisms have developed various adaptations to heavy metal compounds. The aim of our work was to investigate the influence of ferric citrate and cobalt (II) chloride on biomass accumulation, indicators of free radical damage and activity of enzymes of the antioxidant defense system of bacteria Rhodopseudomonas yavorovii IMV B-7620, that were isolated from the water of Yavorivske Lake (Ukraine, Lviv region), which was formed as a result of flooding of a sulfur quarry. We used cultural, photometric methods, and statistical processing of the results was performed using two-way ANOVA and factor analysis. It was found that ferric citrate at a concentration of 1–12 mM causes inhibition of the accumulation of biomass of bacteria Rh. yavorovii IMV B-7620 up to 44.7%, and cobalt (II) chloride at a concentration of 1–15 mM – up to 70.4%, compared with the control. The studied concentrations of ferric citrate and cobalt (II) chloride cause free radical damage to lipids and proteins of Rh. yavorovii IMV B-7620. As a result of two-way ANOVA we found that under the influence of ferric citrate statistically significant changes in biomass accumulation, lipid hydroperoxides and thiobarbiturate reactive species content, superoxide dismutase activity were predetermined by increasing the concentration of metal salts as well as increasing the duration of cultivation of bacteria, while the content of diene conjugates and catalase activity changed with increasing duration of cultivation. Under the influence of cobalt (II) chloride, statistically significant changes in all studied indicators were found both due to the increase in the concentration of metal salts and with increasing duration of bacterial cultivation. The studied parameters of Rh. yavorovii IMV B-7620 cells under the influence of ferric citrate and cobalt (II) chloride are combined into two factors, that explain 95.4% and 99.2% of the total data variance, respectively. Under the influence of ferric citrate, the first latent factor included diene conjugates, thiobarbiturate reactive species, carbonyl groups in proteins, which are closely linked by a direct bond and inversely related to the content of lipid hydroperoxides and catalase activity. The second latent factor included duration of cultivation of bacteria, biomass accumulation, and superoxide dismutase activity, which are inversely related to lipid hydroperoxide content and catalase activity. Under the influence of cobalt (II) chloride, the first latent factor included the content of lipid hydroperoxides, carbonyl groups in proteins, as well as catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, which are inversely related to bacterial biomass.

In the process of anaerobic respiration, sulfate reducing bacteria, besides sulfates, can use other electron acceptors: nitrates, nitrites, oxidized forms of heavy metals, in particular, hexavalent chromium, which are harmful for organisms. Selection of pollutant-resistant stains of this kind of bacteria isolated from technogenically altered ecotopes, capable of reductive transformation of various nature pollutants, is an especially relevant task for the creation of new effective remediation biotechnologies. The purpose of this work was to investigate the regularities of usage of sulfate, nitrate or nitrite ions by bacteria of the Desulfovibrio genus, isolated from Yavorivske Lake, at conditions of simultaneous presence in the medium of another electron acceptor – Cr(VI), to establish a succession of electron acceptors’ reduction by investigated sulfidogenic bacteria and to evaluate the efficiency of their possible application in technologies of complex purification of the environment from metal, sulfur and nitrogen compounds. Bacteria were grown under anaerobic conditions for 10 days in Kravtsov-Sorokin medium without Mohr’s salt. To study the efficiency of sulfate, nitrate, or nitrite ions’ reduction at simultaneous presence in the medium of Cr(VI), bacteria were sown in media with Na2SO4×10H2O, NaNO3, NaNO2 or K2Cr2O7 to final SO42–, NO3–, NO2– or Cr(VI) concentration in the medium of 3.47 (concentration of SO42– in medium of standard composition) or 1.74, 3.47, 5.21, 6.94, 10.41 mM. Biomass was determined turbidimetrically, and the concentrations of sulfate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium ions, hydrogen sulfide, Cr(VI), Cr(ІІІ) in cultural liquid were determined by spectrophotometric method. It has been established that Cr(VI) inhibits the biomass accumulation, sulfate ions’ reduction and hydrogen sulfide production by Desulfovibrio sp. after simultaneous introduction into the medium of 3.47 mM SO42– and 1.74–10.41 mM Cr(VI). In the medium with the same initial content (3.47 mM) of SO42– and Cr(VI), bacteria reduced 2.1–2.3 times more Cr(VI) than sulfate ions with Cr(III) production at concentrations up to 2.2 times higher than hydrogen sulfide. It has been shown that K2Cr2O7 inhibits the biomass accumulation, the nitrate ions reduction and the ammonium ions production by bacteria after simultaneous addition into the medium of 3.47 mM NO3– and 1.74–10.41 mM Cr(VI) or 1.74–10.41 mM NO3– and 3.47 mM Cr(VI). In the medium with the same initial content (3.47 mM) of NO3– and Cr(VI) bacteria reduced 1.1–1.3 times more nitrate ions than Cr(VI) with the production of ammonium ions at concentrations up to 1.3 times higher than that of Cr(III). It has been established that K2Cr2O7 inhibits the biomass accumulation, the nitrite ions’ reduction and the ammonium ions’ production by bacteria after simultaneous addition into the medium of 3.47 mM NO2– and 1.74–10.41 mM Cr(VI) or 1.74–10.41 mM NO2– and 3.47 mM Cr(VI). In the medium with the same initial content (3.47 mM) NO2– and Cr(VI) the reduction of Cr(VI) by bacteria practically did not differ from the reduction of nitrite ions (was only slightly lower – up to 1.1 times), almost the same concentrations of trivalent chromium and ammonium ions in the cultural liquid were detected. The processes of nitrate and nitride reduction, carried out by bacteria of Desulfovibrio genus, were revealed to be less sensitive to the negative influence of sodium dichromate, as compared with the process of sulfate ions’ reduction, which in the medium with 3.47 mM SO42– and 1.74–10.41 mM Cr(VІ) decreased by 3.2–4.6 times as compared with this process in the medium with only Na2SO4×10H2O. The investigated strains of bacteria are adapted to high concentrations of toxic pollutants (up to 10.41 mM) and therefore are promising for application in technologies of complex environment purification from hexavalent chromium, sulfur and nitrogen compounds.

Pollutants of inorganic nature (acids, alkalis, mineral salts of different composition, metals) change the course of biological processes of environmental purification, but their influence on the physiological properties of phototrophic sulfur bacteria has not been studied enough. The usage of nitrite ions as an electron donor of anoxygenic photosynthesis by cells of phototrophic green and purple sulfur bacteria Chlorobium limicola IMV K-8, Thiocapsa sp. Ya-2003 and Lamprocystis sp. Ya-2003, isolated from Yavorivske Lake, under the influence of the most widespread inorganic pollutants – hydro- and dihydrophosphates, sulfates, chlorides and chlorates, has been studied. It is shown that KH2PO4, K2HPO4, Na2SO4, NaCl and KClO3, present in the van Niel medium with 4.2 mM NaNO2 at concentrations that are 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 times different from the maximum permissible concentrations (MPC), influenced the biomass accumulation and nitrite ions oxidation by phototrophic green and purple sulfur bacteria. In media with hydro- and dihydrophosphate ions at concentrations 4.0 times higher than the MPC, inhibition of bacterial growth was up to 1.7 times lower than in the control. The biomass accumulation by bacteria in media with chloride and chlorate ions at concentrations 3.0–4.0 times higher than MPC was 2.0–2.8 times lower compared to the control. In the medium with Na2SO4 at concentrations 2.0–4.0 times higher than MPC, the biomass was 2.0–4.0 times lower than in the control. Nitrites’ oxidation by all strains in the media with the studied pollutants was slowed down. The residual content of nitrite ions in media with hydro- and dihydrophosphate, chloride and chlorate ions at their concentrations 4.0 times higher than MPC, exceeded the NO2– content in the control variants up to 1.7 times. If in the medium without pollutants the cells of C. limicola IMV K-8, Thiocapsa sp. Ya-2003 and Lamprocystis sp. Ya-2003 strains oxidized 72.7%, 72.2% and 71.4%, respectively, of nitrite ions present in the medium, then in the medium with sulfate ions at concentration 4.0 times higher than the MPC, bacteria oxidized nitrite ions only at 39.6%, 34.4% and 27.0%, respectively. Oxidation of a lower quantity of nitrites by phototrophic bacteria in the media with inorganic pollutants led to the production by them of a lower quantity of nitrates. The content of NO3– in the media with hydro-, dihydrophosphate and chlorate ions at all concentrations was up to 1.9 times lower than in the control. In media with sulfate ions at concentrations 2.0–4.0 times higher than MPC and chloride at concentration 4.0 times higher than MPC, the content of nitrate ions was 2.1–4.3 and 2.0 times, respectively, lower than in the control variants. Inorganic pollutants stimulated the synthesis of intracellular carbohydrates in C. limicola IMV K-8. If the content of intracellular glucose in cells grown in the medium without pollutants was 10.3 mg/g dry cell weight, then in cells grown in media with K2HPO4, KH2PO4, Na2SO4, NaCl and KClO3 at concentrations 4.0 times higher than MPC, its content increased by 12.2%, 10.7%, 51.6%, 17.1% and 35.9%, respectively. The glycogen content in the cells grown in the medium without pollutants was 45.1 mg/g dry cell weight. Hydro- and dihydrophosphate, chloride and chlorate ions at concentrations 4.0 times higher than MPC stimulated glycogen synthesis in cells by 47.5%, 57.6%, 67.4% and 74.6%, respectively. The glycogen content in cells grown in the medium with Na2SO4 at concentrations 3.0 and 4.0 times higher than MPC increased by 102.9% and 107.5%, respectively. Therefore, it is established that pollutants of inorganic nature affect the physiological properties of photosynthetic sulfur bacteria and thus change the course of biological processes of environment purification, in particular, from nitrite ions.

The influence of ferrum (III) citrate added to the cultivation medium, on the reduction of sulfate, nitrate, and nitrite ions by sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfovibrio desulfuricans IMV K-6, Desulfovibrio sp. Yav-6, and Desulfovibrio sp. Yav-8 isolated from Yavorivske Lake was studied. It was established that ferrum (III) citrate inhibits the biomass accumulation, SO42- reduction, and H2S production by the bacteria after addition of 1.74–3.47 mM Na2SO4×10 H2O and 1.74–10.41 mM FeC6H5O7 to the medium, in comparison with the growth and level of the reduction of sulfate ions by bacteria in the medium supplemented with only Na2SO4×10 H2O. At conditions of the bacteria cultivation in the presence of an equimolar amount (3.47 mM) of Na2SO4×10 H2O and FeC6H5O7, they reduced 2.5−2.7 times more Fe(ІІІ) than SO42- with Fe2+ production at a concentration 2.4−2.7 times greater than H2S. FeC6H5O7 inhibited growth, NO3- or NO2- reduction and NH4+ production by the bacteria in the presence of 1.74−3.47 mM NaNO3 or NaNO2 and 1.74−10.41 mM FeC6H5O7 in the medium, compared to the growth and level of nitrate or nitrite ions reduction in the medium with only NaNO3 or NaNO2. In the medium with the same initial content of 3.47 mM NaNO3 and 3.47 mM FeC6H5O7, the bacteria reduced 1.4 times more NO3- than Fe(ІІІ), with NH4+ production at concentration 1.1 times higher than that of Fe2+. In the medium with 3.47 mM NaNO2 and 3.47 mM FeC6H5O7, the cells reduced 1.4−1.6 times more Fe(ІІІ) than NO2-, with Fe2+ production at concentra­tion 1.5−1.6 times higher than NH4+. Ferrum (III) citrate had more inhibitory effect on the dissimilatory reduction of sulfate by the bacteria than of nitrate and nitrite ions, since the SO42- reduction by the bacteria at its presence in the medium decreased 2.0−4.7 times. The reduction of NO3- and NO2- decreased only 1.3−1.9 and 1.7−3.1 times, respectively, as compared with their reduction in the media with only Na2SO4×10 H2O, NaNO3 or NaNO2. Despite the fact that the reduction by cells of 1.74−10.41 mM Fe(III) in the media with Na2SO4×10 H2O, NaNO3 or NaNO2 decreased 1.1−2.1, 1.6−2.7 and 1.1−2.5 times, respectively, compared with its reduction in the medium with only FeC6H5O7. The investigated strains of bacteria were resistant to high concentrations of ferrum (III) citrate and, therefore, can be applied in the technologies of complex environment purification from pollution with ferrum, sulfur, and nitrogen compounds.

Technogenic reservoirs mainly contain several possible electron acceptors of anaerobic respiration, many of which are dangerous to the environment. The succession of their reduction (and thus detoxification) by sulfur reducing bacteria is not yet sufficiently studied. We investigated the influence of ferrum (III) citrate, present in the cultivation medium, on the reduction of sulfur, nitrate and nitrite ions by sulfur reducing bacteria Desulfuromonas acetoxidans IMV B-7384, Desulfuromonas sp. Yavor-5 and Desulfuromonas sp. Yavor-7, isolated from Yavorivske Lake. It was established that ferrum (III) citrate inhibits the biomass accumulation and hydrogen sulfide production by bacteria of Desulfuromonas sp. after simultaneous addition to the medium of 3.47 mM S0 and 1.74–10.41 mM ferrum (III) citrate, as compared with growth and hydrogen sulfide production by bacteria in the medium with only sulfur. In the medium with the same initial content (3.47 mM) S0 and ferrum (III) citrate bacteria produced ferrum (II) ions at concentrations 3.5–3.9 times higher than that of hydrogen sulfide. Ferrum (III) citrate inhibits the biomass accumulation, the nitrate or nitrite ions reduction and the ammonium ions production by bacteria of Desulfuromonas sp. after simultaneous addition to the medium of 3.47 mM NaNO3 or NaNO2 and 1.74–10.41 mM ferrum (III) citrate. In the medium with the same initial content (3.47 mM) NaNO3 and ferrum (III) citrate, bacteria produced ammonium ions at concentrations in 1.1 times higher than that of ferrum (II) ions. In the medium with the same initial content (3.47 mM) NaNO2 and ferrum (III) citrate, bacteria reduced 1.5–1.6 times more ferrum (III) than nitrite ions with production of ferrum (II) ions at concentrations 1.7 times higher than that of ammonium ions. The process of nitrate reduction carried out by bacteria of Desulfuromonas genus was less sensitive to the negative influence of ferrum (III) citrate, compared to the process of nitrite ions reduction. When the reduction of nitrate ions by bacteria in the presence of 1.74–10.41 mM ferrum (III) citrate decreased by 1.4–2.2 times, then the reduction of nitrite ions decreased by 1.8–3.2 times compared to their reduction in media with only NaNO3 or NaNO2, respectively. Although the reduction of ferrum (III) by cells in media with 3.47 mM S0, NaNO3 or NaNO2 and 1.74–10.41 mM ferrum (III) citrate decreased by 1.6–2.7, 1.6–2.7 and 1.1–2.2 times, respectively, compared to the reduction in medium with only ferrum (III) citrate, the investigated strains of bacteria were resistant to high concentrations of trivalent ferrum compounds and can therefore can be used in technologies of complex purification of environments polluted by heavy metal and nitrogen compounds.

Photolithotrophic sulfur bacteria are involved in biota functioning and have a biotechnological potential for bioremediation of contaminated environment, but the mechanisms of xenobiotics, in particular of heavy metal ions damaging action and the pathways of photolithotrophic bacteria adaptation under these conditions have not been established. In this work, the biochemical indicators of green photosynthetic bacteria Chlorobium limicola response to Cu ions were studied. C. limicola cells were incubated during one hour in buffer containing copper (II) sulfate in 0.05–0.5 mM concentrations and grown for 8 days in GSB medium. The content of Cu2+ in cells was estimated by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The activity of enzymes of antioxidant defense, photosynthetic pigments and glutathione content, indexes of lipids unsaturation and membrane viscosity as markers of membrane fluidity were estimated. It was shown that the response of green photosynthetic bacteria C. limicola to Cu2+ action varied depending on cations concentration. Under the influence of metal salt at 0.05 mM concentration, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, GSH/GSSG ratio, the content of photosynthetic pigments and membrane fluidity indexes were higher as compared with control. Under the increase of copper (II) sulfate concentration to 0.25 mM, the activity of antioxidant enzymes was lower compared to the response of the cells under the influence of 0.05 mM copper (II) and the GSSG content was increased. Under the influence of 0.5 mM copper (II) the indexes of membrane fluidity did not differ from the control, but superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity inhibition and the further decrease of GSH/GSSG ratio were observed followed by the highest Cu2+ cations accumulation in cells and significant decrease of bacteria biomass growth.

The selection of strains isolated from technogenically altered ecotopes and resistant to contamination, capable of metabolizing a wide range of pollutants is a task highly relevant for creation of new methods for environmental purification. Sulphur-reducing bacteria of the Desulfuromonas genus carry out dissimilatory reduction not only of S0 but also oxidized forms of metals. Intensity of anaerobic respiration of microorganisms in polluted environments is determined by level of their adaptation to stress factors, in particular, copper (II) compounds. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of copper (II) chloride on H2S production by Desulfuromonas sp. strains isolated by us from Yavorivske Lake, to determine the efficiency of Cu2+ precipitation by hydrogen sulfide, to analyse the possibility of usage by bacteria of CuCl2 as an electron acceptor of anaerobic respiration and to study the influence of Cu2+ on usage by these microorganisms of ferric (III) citrate, potassium dichromate or manganese (IV) oxide as electron acceptors. Bacteria were grown under anaerobic conditions in Kravtsov-Sorokin medium. To study the influence of Cu2+ on production by bacteria of H2S, their cells were incubated with CuCl2 (0.5–4.0 mM), washed and cultivated in a medium with S0. To determine the level of Cu2+ binding by H2S, produced by bacteria, cells were grown in a medium with CuCl2 (0.5–4.0 mM) and S0. To investigate the ability of bacteria to use copper (II) ions as electron acceptors, they were cultivated in a medium with CuCl2 (1.74–10.41 mM). To study the influence of Cu2+ on usage by bacteria of metal compounds as electron acceptors, their cells were incubated with CuCl2 (0.5–4.0 mM), washed and cultivated in media with C6H5O7Fe, K2Cr2O7 or MnO2 (1.74–10.41 mM). Biomass was determined by the turbidimetric method. In the cultural liquid the content of H2S was determined quantitatively by the spectrophotometric method, qualitatively – presence of Cu2+. Content of CuS in the growth medium was determined by weight method. Desulfuromonas sp. bacteria was revealed to be resistant to 2.0–2.5 mM copper (II) ions. Under the influence of 3.0–4.0 mM CuCl2 in the incubation mixture, sulfidogenic activity of bacteria decreased more than twice. The efficiency of Cu2+ binding in form of CuS by H2S produced by bacteria reached 97.3–100.0% at presence in the medium with S0 of up to 1.5 mM CuCl2. Bacteria used CuCl2 (1.74–10.41 mM) as an electron acceptor in the process of anaerobic respiration. The addition of 2.5–3.0 mM CuCl2 to the incubation mixture caused inhibition of metal reducing activity of cells, growth of all strains in media with 1.74–10.41 mM ferric (III) citrate, potassium dichromate or manganese (IV) oxide as electron acceptors decreased by 2.6 times. Almost complete precipitation up to 1.5 mM copper (II) ions in form of CuS by H2S produced by bacteria and ability to reduce up to 10.41 mM CuCl2, C6H5O7Fe, K2Cr2O7 or MnO2 in the process of anaerobic respiration indicates a high adaptation of the bacteria strains investigated by us to stress factors, in particular, the influence of CuCl2. We have proved the possibility of using Desulfuromonas sp. in biotechnologies for purification of environments with complex contamination from copper (II) compounds.

Due to their high content in natural environments, heavy metals exhibit toxic effects on living organisms, which leads to a decrease in the biological diversity and productivity of ecosystems. In niches with low oxidation reducing potential, sulfate and sulfur reducing bacteria carry out the reducing transformation of oxidized sulfur compounds with the formation of significant amounts of hydrogen sulfide. H2S produced by bacteria interacts with metal ions, precipitating them in the form of sulfides. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of lead, cuprum (II), iron (II) and manganese (II) salts on the production of hydrogen sulfide by bacteria of the Desulfovibrio and Desulfuromonas genera, isolated from Yavorivske Lake, and to evaluate the efficiency of their use for purifying media, enriched with organic compounds, from hydrogen sulfide and heavy metals. The content of heavy metal ions in the water of Yavorivske Lake was determined by the spectrophotometric method. The bacteria were grown for 10 days at 30 °C in the Kravtsov-Sorokin medium under anaerobic conditions. To study the influence of metal ions on bacteria growth and their H2S production, cells were incubated with metal salts (0.5–4.0 mM), washed and grown in media with SO42– or S0. To determine the level of metal ions binding by H2S, produced by bacteria, cells were grown in media with metal compounds (0.5–4.0 mM), SO42– or S0. Biomass was determined by turbidimetric method. In the cultural liquid the content of H2S was determined quantitatively by spectrophotometric method, and qualitatively by the presence of metal cations. The content of metal sulfides in the growth medium was determined by weight method. Sulfate and sulfur-reducing bacteria were resistant to 2.0 mM Pb(NO3)2, 2.5 mM CuCl2, 2.5 mM FeCl2 × 4H2O and 2.0 mM MnCl2 × 4H2O, therefore they are promising for the development of biotechnologies for the purification of water resources contaminated by sulfur and metal compounds. When present in a medium with sulfates or sulfur of 1.0–1.5 mM lead, cuprum (II), iron (II) or manganese (II) ions, they almost completely bind with the H2S produced by bacteria in the form of insoluble sulfides, which confirms the negative results of qualitative reactions to their presence in the cultural liquid.

Coal pit waste heap is an example of the multifactorial stress influence on organisms. The effect of heavy metals on the cell is the most toxic. Factor analysis of data for 29 variables, defined for gangues from coal pit waste heaps, was conducted. In the case of the analysis of red gangue four latent factors are revealed, it explains over 97 % total dispersion data. In the case of turfed by the mosses gangue as well as gangue without mosses analysis six latent factors were revealed, it explain about 87 and 86 % total dispersion data respectively. The ability of sulfur reducing bacteria Desulfuromusa sp. SV30, isolated from coal pits waste heaps of Chervonograd mining region, to utilize Cr (VI), Cu (II) and Fe (III) compounds as electron acceptors was studied. The influence of these compounds on growth and sulfidogenic activity of these bacteria was established. Desulfuromusa sp. СВ30 reduces 0.5–2 мМ of K2Cr2O7 and CuCl2, 1–10 мМ C6H5O7Fe as electron acceptors with varying intensity. 1 mМ of CuCl2 and C6H5O7Fe are completely reduced by bacteria. Desulfuromusa sp. SV30 incubation with heavy metals compounds (0.5 mM of K2Cr2O7, 1−2 mМ of CuCl or CuCl2, 1 mМ Fe2+ and 1−30 mМ Fe3+) causes bacteria metabolism intensification. Oxidized metals forms applying into the medium with sulfur at concentrations of 0.5 mМ (CuCl2) and 1 mМ leads to the higher biomass growth but sulfur reducing is strictly inhibited. At the presence of 0.5–1 мМ CuCl2 in medium 95.0−100.0 % of Cu2+ are bounded with HS- produced by the bacteria. After 1 mМ of FeCl2×4H2O applying into the medium the level of Fe2+ bounding with HS- equals 88.0 %. Indicated concentrations exceeding inhibited growth and sulfidogenic activity of Desulfuromusa sp. SV30. Highly effective application of Desulfuromusa sp. SV30 in technologies for purifying the environment from toxic sulfur- and metal-containing compounds is expected.

This article covers the patterns of oxidation of sulfide and thiosulfate ions by bacteria Rhodopseudomonas yavorovii Ya-2016 under different cultivation conditions. In the environments with 1.4–5.6 мМ Na2S2O3, R. yavorovii Ya-2016 bacteria accumulated biomass of 1.4–1.6 g/l, which was higher than biomass (1.2-0.6 g/l) accumulated by the bacteria with the same concentrations of Na2S × 9H2O. The efficiency of oxidation of 1.4, 2.8, 5.6 мМ sulfide- and thiosulfate-ions as donors of electrons by the bacteria equaled 97.4, 42.6, 18.7 and 68.8, 28.0, 3.7%, respectively. As a result of bacterial oxidation of 1.4 мМ hydrogen sulfide and sodium thiosulphate in the environment accumulation of 0.13–1.30 мМ sulfate-ions occurs, and the element sulfur becomes an intermediate metabolite in the environment with Na2S×9H2O. R. yavorovii Ya-2016 bacteria are capable of using sulfate-ions as a single source of sulfate at increase in photptrophs. In the environment with 2.5 мМ sulfate-ions concentration the bacteria biomass was 1.4 g/l, the bacteria assimilated 17.7% of sulfates. Because purple non-sulfur bacteria R. yavorovii Ya-2016 are capable of using sulfide-ions as donors of electrons of anoxygenic photosynthesis and using sulfate-ions as a single source of sulfate, they could be successfully used in the technologies of remediating the environment from compounds of sulfur.

Sulfur reducing bacteria from coal pits waste heaps of Chervonograd minig region were isolated and their seasonal number changes were established. Sulfur reducing bacteria number increases during cold season both at the end of vegetation season, depending on gangue humidity as well as on substrate temperature. The forty sulfur reducing bacteria isolates were selected. According to the highest biomass acumulation and hydrogen sulfide production for the following identification two strains were chosen. The morpho-physiological characteristics of isolated strains SV 30 and SV 35 were investigated. In accordance with obtained data, we assumed isolated strain SV 30 to be identified as genus Desulfuromusa, meanwhile SV 35 – Geobacter. After the seventh day of cultivation, the highest sulfur reducing activity of both strains was observed. Due to the metabolization ability of wide range of pollutants isolated sulfur reducing bacteria are perspective for application in environmental remediation technologies with biological methods.

Microorganisms are able to damage wood, paper, paints and made from this materials chronicles, books etc. Indoor air microbiota of apartments of the Scientific Library of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv was analyzed. Air microbiota is a potential source of infecting of library founds. It was established that the amount of microorganisms in air was different dependently on season, temperature, humidity and isolation place (quantity at first layer level at middle at 2–7 folds high than at second layer level). 47 strains of fungi were isolated and identified. They make a threat for books in most probes of indoor air of library. These are fungi of Fusidium viride (4 %), Eidamella spinosa (2 %), Ulocladium sp. (2 %), Myxotrichum chartarum (2 %), Mortierella sp. (2 %), and representatives of genera Penicillium (62 %), Aspergillus (20 %), Mucor (2 %), Alternaria (4 %). In common, 89 % of isolated strains of micromycetes possess cellulase acti­vity, among them 12 % − possess high activity (completely decompose the parer in experiment). There are fungi of Eidamella spinosa (1 strain) and representatives of genera Penicillium (3 strains), Alternaria і Ulocladium (one each strain). Old prints with visible marks of microbe damages were investigated. They are kept at department of manuscript, old prints and rarity books named after F. P. Maksymenko of the library, because of presence of living microorganisms. On all books were discovered microorganisms, which were isolated in pure cultures and were identified as strains of fungi Verticillium album and representatives of genera Penicillium, Mucor, Aspergillus (species A. fumigatus and A. wentii), and also sporulating bacteria of Bacillus genus. To decreasing of contamination by microorganisms of infected books and to verification of action efficiency on micromycetes pure cultures was used disinfecting camera EK-21. Treatment of books and spores of fungi pure cultures in this camera (temperature 65±5 °C, humidity 60±5 %, formalin 100–150 ml) caused 100 % lethality of all present on it microorganisms. Thus, main important means of preventing of books biodamaging, which are maintenance in libraries, archives, museums, is conducting of systematic complex control of environment parameters and mycological monitoring of library apartments and objects of storage.

The toxicity of metal ions to microorganisms, in particular at high concentrations, is one of the main impediments to their usage in remediation technologies. The purpose of this work is to analyze the possibility of usage by bacteria of the Desulfuromonas genus, isolated by us from Yavorivske Lake, of ferrum (ІІІ) and manganese (IV) ions at concentrations in the medium of 1,74–10,41 mM as electron acceptors of anaerobic respiration to assesss resistance of sulphur reducing bacteria strains to heavy metal compounds. Cells of Desulfuromonas acetoxidans ІМV V-7384, Desulfuromonas sp. Yavor-5 and Desulfuromonas sp. Yavor-7 were cultivated for 10 days at 30 °C under anaerobic conditions in Kravtsov-Sorokin’s medium without sulphate ions, sulphur, with cysteine as the sulphur source (0.2 g/l) and sodium lactate or citrate as the electron donor (17.86 g/l), in which were added sterile 1 M solutions of C6H5O7Fe and C4H4O4 (control) and also weights of MnO2 to their terminal concentrations 1.74, 3.47, 5.21, 6.94, 10.41 mM. Biomass was determined by the turbidimetric method. In the culture liquid the presence of Fe3+ and Mn4+ were qualitatively determined, and the content of Fe2+ in reaction with о-phenanthroline was determined quantitatively. It was established that sulphur reducing bacteria used with different intensity ferrum (ІІІ) and manganese (IV) ions as electron acceptors during the process of anaerobic respiration at concentrations of 1.74–10.41 mM C6H5O7Fe and MnO2 in the medium, which demonstrated the important role of the investigated microorganisms in reductive detoxication of natural and technogenic media from oxidized forms of transitional heavy metals. An insignificant difference in biomass accumulation during usage of 5.21–10.41 mM ferrum (ІІІ) ions and fumarate is caused by toxicity of the metal ions to cells since the high redox potential of the Fe(III)/Fe(ІІ) pair with increase in concentrations of electron acceptors in the medium did not lead to increase in the biomass accumulation level. The greatest biomass of the bacteria accumulated on the 8–10th days in the medium with the lowest concentration of C6H5O7Fe – 1.74 mM (up to 2.77 g/l), and the lowest biomass – with highest concentration – 10.41 mM (up to 2.41 g/l). After 10 days of cultivation the bacteria of all strains had fully used the ferrum (ІІІ) ions present in the medium. A biomass yield almost twice as low was revealed after manganese (IV) oxide was used by bacteria compared with its use of ferrum (ІІІ) citrate and fumarate at all studied concentrations of electron acceptors in the medium. The highest biomass of bacteria accumulated in the medium with the lowest MnO2 content – 1.74 mM (up to 1.35 g/l), and the lowest biomass in the medium with the highest content – 10.41 mM (up to 1.15 g/l). After 10 days of cultivation bacteria of all strains had not fully restored the manganese (IV) ions present in the medium. The greatest biomass compared with other strains after growth in medium with different C6H5O7Fe and MnO2 contents was accumulated by the strain Desulfuromonas sp. Yavor-7. Since sulphur reducing bacteria strains proved to be resistant to Fe3+ and Mn4+ high concentrations (up to10.41 mM) they can be successfully used in technologies of environmenal remediation from sulphur and heavy metal compounds.

Objects of the study were sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ІМV К-6, isolated from Yavorivske lakе. This strain is kept in the collection of microorganisms at the Department of Microbiology of Ivan Franko National University. Bacteria were grown in the Kravtsov-Sorokin’s liquid medium with the following composition (g/l): Na2SO4 × 10H2O – 0.5, NaH2PO4 – 0.3, K2HPO4 – 0.5, (NH4)2SO4 – 0.2, MgSO4 × 7H2O – 0.1, C3H5O3Na – 2.0. The bacteria were grown for 10 days at 30 °C under anaerobic conditions. In order to study the sensitivity of the sulfate reducing bacteria to action of Uragan and Raundup herbicides, the cells of D. desulfuricans ІМV К-6 were grown at the concentrations of herbicides as follows: 0,28 mМ, 2,8 mМ (concentration recommended for use) and 5,6 mM. Biomass was determined by photometric method. Concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the culture medium was determined by photo-colorimetric method. Concentration of sulfate-ions in the medium was determined by turbidimetric method. Capacity of sulfate reducing bacteria D. desulfuricans ІМV K-6 to grow, reducing sulfates to hydrogen sulfide upon influence of Uragan and Raundup herbicides was studied. Accumulation of bacterial biomass in the control and upon influence of herbicides was the highest on the fourth-sixth day of cultivation, and after that the stationary growth phase began. It was shown that sulfate reducing bacteria upon influence of herbicides grew more intensively compared with the control. It was discovered that the level of biomass changed depending on the increasing concentration of Uragan or Raundup herbicides in the medium. Sulfate reducing bacteria D. desulfuricans ІМV K-6 could reduce sulfates to hydrogen sulfide in the presence of sulfates and organic compounds in the medium (dissimilatory sulfate reduction). Stimulatory influence of Uragan and Raundup on the dissimilatory sulfate reduction process of D. desulfuricans ІМВ К-6 has been discovered. The formation of hydrogen sulfide correlates with the usage of sulfatе ions. The capacity of sulfate reducing bacteria D. desulfuricans ІМV K-6 to grow, reducing sulfate ions to hydrogen sulfide upon influence of Uragan and Raundup may be caused by presence of inert components (sulfates) in these herbicides that can be used by microorganisms as electron acceptors during sulfate respiration.

Desulfuromonas acetoxidans obtains energy for growth by the anaerobic oxidation of organic compounds with the carbon dioxide formation. It was found that ferrum and manganese are used as terminal electron acceptors in the processes of anaerobic respiration, such as dissimilative Fe3+- and Mn4+-reduction, carried out by these bacteria (Lovely, 1991). D. acetoxidans ІМV B-7384 can be used as anode biocatalyst in microbial fuel cell with high electron recovery through acetate oxidation to the electric current as a result of electron transfer to the anode or 3d-type transition metals, such as ferrum and manganese, in the process of their reduction. Investigation of biochemical changes of D. acetoxidans ІМV B-7384 under the influence of Fe (III) compounds is important for optimization of the process of bacterial electricity generation. ATP-hydrolase is located in cytoplasmic membrane, and its subunits are exposed to both the cytoplasm and the external environment. Therefore, the changes of that enzyme activity can be used as an indicator of various stress exposure. Presence of ferric iron ions in the bacterial growth medium could catalyze generation of organic reactive oxygen species, such as peroxyl (ROO-) and alkoxyl (RO-) radicals. Lipid peroxidation is one of the main reasons of cell damage and it’s following death under the influence of reactive oxygen metabolites. It is known that lipid peroxidation and membrane transport processes are somehow interrelated, but mechanisms of such interaction are still unidentified. In our previous researche we have shown the influence of ferric (III) citrate on the intensity of lipid peroxidation of D. аcetoxidans ІМV В-7384. Significant increase of the content of lipid peroxidation products (lipid hydroperoxides, conjugated dienes and malondialdehyde) in bacterial cells has been observed under the addition of ferric (III) citrate into the cultural medium. The increase of the concentration of lipid peroxidation products in bacterial cells confirms free radical mechanism of oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Thus, for fulfiling complete analyses of cell response against oxidative stress it was reasonable to investigate the influence of ferric (III) citrate on specific ATP-hydrolase activity, Na+, K+-ATP-hydrolase activity and Mg2+-ATP-hydrolase activity of D. acetoxidans ІМV В-7384. Bacteria were cultivated in the modified Postgaite C medium during four days under the anaerobic conditions and temperature +27°С with addition from 10 to 20 mM of ferric (III) citrate into the growth medium. Control samples didn’t contain investigated metal salt. Chosen concentrations of metal salt caused inhibition of bacterial growth by 20–50%. Activities of ATP-hydrolases were investigated as described. It was shown, that specific ATP-hydrolase activity of D. acetoxidans ІМV В-7384 is changing in dependance on duration of ferric (III) citrate exposure and concentration of the metal salt. Addition of the ferric (III) citrate in relatively low concentrations (10–12 mM) causes increasing of specific ATP-hydrolase activity of D. acetoxidans IMV B-7384 in comparison with control. Activity of investigated enzymes was inhibited under the increasing of metal salt concentration in bacterial growth medium. Increase of duration of D. acetoxidans IMV B-7384 cultivation causes decrease of ATP-hydrolase activity. Addition of ferric (III) citrate causes simultaneous increasing of Na+, K+-ATP-hydrolase activity and inhibition of Mg2+-ATP-hydrolase activity during four days of bacterial cultivation.

Desulfuromonas acetoxidans are obligatory anaerobic gram-negative sulfurreducing eubacteria. The influence of different concentrations of iron (III) chloride hexahydrate, iron (II) sulfate and manganese (II) chloride hexahydrate on D. acetoxidans growth and light scattering properties has been investigated. The correlation between biomass accumulation and changes of the cells’ light scattering properties has been as-certained under the influence of the 3d transition metal salts. The maximum of cell distribution curve equaled 0.49 ?m under the influence of all investigated concentrations of iron (III) chloride hexahydrate, iron (II) sulfate and manganese (II) chloride hexahydrate. The highest relative content of cells with maximal size (0.49 ?m) and the largest biomass were observed under the influence of 2.5 mM FeCl3x6H2O and 0.5 mM MnCl2x4H2O. Under the influence of FeSO4 the highest D. acetoxidans biomass was obtained with addition of 2.5 mM metal salt in the growth medium. The highest relative cell content with maximal size was observed under the influence of 0.5–1.5 mM FeSO4.

Desulfuromonas acetoxidans are uncoloured gram-negative obligatory anaerobic sulfurreducing bacteria that are considered to be used as microbial-anode fuel cells with high electron recovery (>80%) from acetate oxidation to electric current as a result of their transfer in the processes of sulfur and some 3d3 type transition metals reduction, such as Ferrum and Manganese. Glutathione (GSH: l-γ-glutamil-l-cysteinilglicyn) plays the main role in redox buffer and antioxidant. This has a great sense in supporting tiol-disulfide equilibruim in the proteins and also at defense of cells against oxidative stress and the influence of different toxic compounds. The dependence between glutathione content in D. acetoxidans cells and different concentrations of ferrous (ІІ) sulfate, ferrous (III) chloride hexahydrate, manganese (II) chloride tetrahydrate and manganese (IV) oxide in growth medium has been investigated. Maximal concentration of this tripeptide in cells of investigated bacteria has been observed under the influence of 2.5 мМ MnCl2×4H2O and 0.5 mM FeSO4 on the second day of growth and under the influence of 1.0 and 0.5 mM MnO2and FeCl3×6H2O, respectively, on the third day of bacteria growth.

Modern systematics of phototrophic purple bacteria is described. Their distribution and living conditions based on literature data and original research data are shown. The morphological characteristics, pigments composition and photosynthesis particularies are described. Participation of these bacteria in the natural sulfur cycle, the ways of their hydrogen sulphide usage are shown. The areas of practical application of purple phototrophic bacteria are pointed.

Growth of phototrophic green sulfur bacteria Chlorobium limicola Ya-2002 under the influence of heavy metals salts different concentrations is investigated. The addition of CdSO4, ZnSO4, Pb(NO3)2 or CuSO4 to the medium inhibits the bacterial biomass accumulation. The velocity of oxygen uptake by C. limicola Ya-2002 during the growth in the media with metals salts is determined. It is affected to the largest extent by the addition of 2.5 mM of Pb(NO3)2 to the growth medium.

The photosynthetic purple sulfur bacteria were isolated from lakes Yavorivske (Lviv region) and Sakske (AR Crimea). The purple sulfur bacteria use reduced sulfur compounds as electron donors for anoxygenic photosynthesis. The elemental sulfur produced by these microorganisms as intermediate in the oxidation of thiosulfate or hydrogen sulfide to sulfate. The bacteria strains Ya2008/С and Sa2008/D with highest intracellular sulfur content have been choose for next investigation. Their morphophysiology characteristics, pigment content, the resistances to hydrogen sulfide, utilization of H2S and intracellular sulfur during photolitoautotrophic growth were investigated. Strains Ya2008/С and Sa2008/D according to their morphophysiology characteristics were identified to genus Chromatium.

The highest catalase activity (42.67×10–2 µM×min–1×mg–1 of protein) in the cells of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans Ya-11 has been observed under the prolonged Pb(NO3)2 influence. In the presence of other heavy metals’ salts it has been changed in dependence on their concentrations and growth duration. Based on our research data the row of heavy metals’ salts by its influence on D. desulfuricans Ya-11 catalase activity has been formed at first: Pb(NO3)2> CuCl2> CdCl2> ZnCl2. The highest superoxide dismutase activity (61.52×10–2 µM×min–1×mg–1 of protein) has been observed under the prolonged ZnCl2 influence. In the presence of other heavy metals’ salts this enzyme’s activity increased with increasing the salts’ concentrations. Based on our According to our results, the row of heavy metals’ salts influence on D. desulfuricans Ya-11 superoxide dismutase activity has been formed at first: ZnCl2 > Pb(NO3)2 > CuCl2 > CdCl2.

The growth of phototrophic sulfur bacteria Lamprocystis sp. under the influence of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mM of CdSO4, ZnSO4, Pb(NO3)2 and CuSO4 was investigated. The control medium did not contain metal salt. The highest inhibition of growth was caused by CuSO4, and Pb(NO3)2 had weaker effect. These salts at the concentration 0.5 mM and higher have decreased the biomass accumulation for 85 and 58% respectively. Addition of CdSO4 or ZnSO4 caused the decrease of biomass accumulation only at high salts concentrations in the medium. The qualitative and quantitative composition of the main photosynthetic pigments in the cells at these conditions was determined. Addition of salts of heavy metals to the growth medium of Lamprocystis sp. decreased the pigments content in the cells, and inhibited culture growth.

Data are presented about the history of formation of plant physiology at Lviv University, and about background that preceded Department segregation into an independent unit. Special attention is paid to the role of several scientist in the development of exploration of physiological processes in plants. Up-to-date condition of the educative and scientific work at Plant Physiology and Ecology Department, its accomplishments and development perspectives are shown.

The aim of this work was to determine the impact of addition of coal ash from Dobrotvir TPP to waste heaps gangue (Chervonograd Mining Region) on the number of different groups of microorganisms. 20 samples from three waste heaps, from the black and red gangue, under the mosses and from bare substrate and also from terrace, top and base of each waste heap, were selected. Waste heaps gangues with coal ash from Dobrotir TPP were mixed in vitro and left for 10 days. We used proportion of coal ash to gangue as 1 to 5. Microorganisms were grown in Petri dishes containing 20–30 ml agar medium and in 22 ml tubes at temperature of 28 °C. Microscopic fungi were revealed on Mash-agar; oligonitrophilic bacteria – on Ashby medium; actinomycetes – on Chapek’s medium; cellulose decomposing aerobic bacteria – on Hetchenson medium; colorless sulfur oxidizing bacteria: neutrophilic – on Beyerinck medium, acidophilic – on Silverman and Lundgren 9К medium. The acidity value of waste heaps gangue samples was determined by рН meter рН-150М. We observed that samples collected under the mosses had lower acidity compared to samples from the bare substrate. We also revealed lower acidity of the overburn red gangue than the acidity of freshly deposited black gangue. To sum up, application of coal ash resulted in lowering of acidity value among all samples under study. Coal ash addition led to increase in number of microscopic fungi cells compared to the appropriate control samples. The highest quantity of microscopic fungi (16.2 ± 0.79) х 105 CFU/g of gangue) was revealed in sample from red rock of the main waste heap of Central Enrichment Plant (CEP). At the same time, we observed the highest cell number in the control sample under the mosses of “Nadija” coal pit waste heap, (6.1 ± 0.3) х 105 CFU/g of gangue. After coal ash addition, most samples featured 2–3 times higher quantities of colorless sulfur-oxidizing neutrophilic bacteria cells. The highest cell number of these microorganisms was observed in sample under the mosses of “Vizejska” coal pit waste heap. The same dominance of oligonitrophilic bacteria cell number in experimental samples over control samples was indicated. The highest cell quantity was recorded for the sample under the moss from terrace of waste heap of “Nadija” coal pit (25.6 ± 1.3) х 104 CFU/g of gangue and in sample from red rock of CEP main waste heap (21.1 ± 1.1) х 104 CFU/g of gangue, being 43.3 and 31.7 times higher than the appropriate controls. Meanwhile, the number of colorless sulfur-oxidizing acidophilic bacteria in control samples was higher than that after coal ash addition, particularly, on the bare substrate samples from the base and terrace of waste heap of “Nadija” coal pit. Higher cell number in control samples without coal ash was typical for actinomycetes with the greatest difference (8.6 times) before and after coal ash addition in a sample from red rock of CEP main waste heap. We detected 2 times lower number of cellulose-decomposing aerobic bacteria in the majority of experimental samples compared to appropriate control samples under study. In that way, we noticed that addition of coal ash from Dobrotvir TPP to waste heaps gangue (in proportion of coal ash to gangue as 1 to 5) caused reduction of substrate acidity value. Under these conditions the number of colorless sulfur-oxidizing neutrophilic bacteria, oligonitrophilic bacteria and microscopic fungi cells increased. But on the other hand, coal ash addition resulted in lowering of the number of colorless sulfur-oxidizing acidophilic bacteria, actinomycetes, and cellulose-decomposing aerobic bacteria cells.