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Enhancement of Au Dissolution by Microorganisms Using an Accelerating Cathode Reaction

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Abstract

A Chromobacterium violaceum (C. violaceum) strain that produces cyanide was used to dissolve Au. In this bacterial Au dissolution process, decreased dissolved oxygen concentration in the bacterial medium significantly inhibits Au dissolution. Although aeration is effective in increasing the level of dissolved oxygen in the bacterial medium, it is not effective in increasing Au dissolution during the growth phase of the bacteria because of the latter’s high respiratory consumption of oxygen. The present study investigated the utility of H2O2, rather than aeration, for increasing dissolved oxygen concentrations in bacterial growth medium. It was anticipated that the stronger oxidation reagent would increase Au dissolution by accelerating the cathode reaction during the bacterial growth phase. In fact, the addition of H2O2 to the bacterial culture increased dissolved oxygen concentrations in the growth phase and also drastically increased the dissolution rate of Au. Electrochemical measurements indicated that H2O2 addition to the bacterial medium accelerated the cathode reaction and thus enhanced Au dissolution by this biological process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0047, Japan

    Yoshito Kita (Graduate Student)

  2. Joining and Welding Research Institute, Osaka University, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0047, Japan

    Hiroshi Nishikawa (Associate Professor) & Tadashi Takemoto (Professor)

  3. Department of Environmental Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan

    Michihiko Ike (Professor)

Authors
  1. Yoshito Kita
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  2. Hiroshi Nishikawa
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  3. Michihiko Ike
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  4. Tadashi Takemoto
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yoshito Kita.

Additional information

Manuscript submitted November 5, 2007.

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Kita, Y., Nishikawa, H., Ike, M. et al. Enhancement of Au Dissolution by Microorganisms Using an Accelerating Cathode Reaction. Metall Mater Trans B 40, 39–44 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-008-9177-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-008-9177-z

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