Abstract
Bioleaching of metallic sulphides withThiobacillus ferrooxidans in the absence of iron (II) was studied using pure sulphides and mixtures. The direct mode of bacterial action was analysed with respect to sulphide solubility, exposed solid surfaces and bacterial attachment to the solids. Bioleaching of mixed sulphides showed enhancement of metal extraction in comparison with pure sulphides which suggests metal extractions would be better from polymetallic sulphide ores than from similar matrices with only one sulphide.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brunauer, S., Emmet, P.H. & Teller, E. 1938 Adsorption of gases in multimolecular layers.Journal of the American Chemical Society.60, 309–319.
Collins, C.H. 1967Microbiological Methods, 2nd edn. New York: Plenum Press.
Donati, E., Porro, S., Pogliani, C., Curutchet, G. & Tedesco, P. 1991 Importancia de la superficie en la biocatálisis de la oxidación de sulfuros metálicos.Revista de Metalurgia (Spain) 5 26–30.
Klug, H. & Alexander, L.E. 1970.X-Ray Diffraction Procedures. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Pogliani, C., Curutchet, G., Donati, E. & Tedesco, P. 1990 A need of direct contact with particle surfaces in the bacterial oxidation of covellite in the absence of a chemical lixiviant.Biotechnology Letters 12, 515–518.
Silverman, G. & Lundgren, D. 1959 Studies on the chemoautotrophic iron bacteriumFerrobacillus ferrooxidans.Journal of Bacteriology 77, 642–647.
Tedesco, P., Cordo, L., & Piro, A. 1990 Lixiviación selectiva de molibdeno y cobre a partir de un mineral de baja ley.Revista de Metalurgia (Spain) 26, 151–158.
Torma, E. 1978 Relation between solubility product and the rate of metal sulphide oxidation byThiobacillus ferrooxidans.Journal of Fermentation Technology 56, 173–177.
Tributsch, H. & Bennet, J. 1981a Semiconductor electrochemical aspects of bacterial leaching. I. Oxidation of metal sulphides with large energy gaps.Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology 31, 565–577.
Tributsch, H. & Bennet, J. 1981b Semiconductor electrochemical aspects of bacterial leaching. Part 2. Survey of rate controlling sulphide properties.Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology 31, 627–635.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Donati, E., Curutchet, G., Porro, S. et al. Bioleaching of metallic sulphides withThiobacillus ferrooxidans in the absence of iron (II). World J Microbiol Biotechnol 8, 305–308 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01201885
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01201885