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Mechanism analysis on synergistic leaching of uranium from pyrite oxidized by Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans

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Abstract

Low-grade uranium ore, which was challenging to be treated economically by conventional methods, can be treated by uranium leaching by bacteria. However, high uranium concentration will lead to the death of bacteria. This work researched the oxidative leaching performance of bacteria (Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans with uranium resistance) under different iron valence conditions. Oxidative leaching of UO2 by bacteria from energy substrates with varying states of the valence of iron ions was studied through an Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans oxidation model. The results showed that the probability of pyrite being oxidized by the Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans system was 98.05% under the condition of Fe2+, while it was 87.30% exposed to Fe3+. In addition, the leaching rate of UO2 by the Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans & Fe2+ system was 94.70%. Under the same conditions, while adding 1 g/L pyrite, the leaching rate of UO2 increased to 99.96%. This study revealed the oxidative leaching mechanism of UO2 and provided a new theoretical basis for the bacterial leaching of uranium.

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Acknowledgements

Thank you very much for the financial support of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. This material is based on the work supported by the [National Ministry of Science and Technology Key R&D Program Project], the Project Number: 2019YFC1907701.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Resource and Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, People’s Republic of China

    Yao Deng, Wei Hou, Xiaohui Wei, Qingliang Wang, Hongqiang Wang, Eming Hu, Zhiwu Lei, Fang Hu & Yao Zhang

  2. Cooperative Innovation Center for Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technology and Equipment, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, People’s Republic of China

    Qingliang Wang

  3. Hengyang Key Laboratory of Soil Pollution Control and Remediation, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, People’s Republic of China

    Hongqiang Wang

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  1. Yao Deng
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  2. Wei Hou
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  3. Xiaohui Wei
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  4. Qingliang Wang
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  5. Hongqiang Wang
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  6. Eming Hu
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  7. Zhiwu Lei
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  8. Fang Hu
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  9. Yao Zhang
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Contributions

YD: Analyzed data, XPS data, XRD data, SEM data, a manuscript written and edited. Wei Hou: XRD data and analysis. XW: Designed Model, Measured the element of Fe. YZ: FTIR data and analysis. QW: Designed the experiment. HW: Manuscript edited.

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Correspondence to Qingliang Wang.

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Deng, Y., Hou, W., Wei, X. et al. Mechanism analysis on synergistic leaching of uranium from pyrite oxidized by Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 330, 951–961 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-08026-x

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