Bioleaching is a widely recognized eco-friendly technique, with its effectiveness being hindered in the presence of brackish water. Research indicates that bioleaching systems combining autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms tend to be the most successful.

This study aims to enhance uranium bioleaching in brackish waters by utilizing the halotolerant bacterium Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans strain THA4 and the fungus Rhodotorula toruloides strain IR-1395. Experimental data was analyzed using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approach.

The proposed model for uranium extraction in brackish conditions employing microorganisms was validated against experimental results, showing a strong correlation with an R2 value of 0.94. The research demonstrated a 24.22% increase in uranium bioleaching when using the microbial consortium compared to solely using the bacterium under optimal conditions as suggested by the software.

To analyze morphological changes in ore samples exposed to microorganisms, SEM–EDS was utilized in this study. The results provide valuable insights into the interactions between acidophilic bacteria and heterotrophic yeasts during uranium bioleaching in brackish water environments.

Overall, this research has advanced biohydrometallurgical techniques for extracting uranium from low-grade ores, particularly in saline and resource-limited settings.