Bio-oxidation of galena particles by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Jiang, L., Zhou, H., Peng, X., & Ding, Z. (2008). Bio-oxidation of galena particles by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Particuology, 6(2), 99–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2007.11.004

Bio-oxidation of galena particles by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

Lei Jiang ^a *, Huaiyang Zhou ^b, Xiaotong Peng ^b, Zhonghao Ding^a

a Wuhan University of Science & Engineering, Wuhan 430073, China
b Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China

10.1016/j.partic.2007.11.004

Volume 6, Issue 2, April 2008, Pages 99-105

Received 30 August 2007, Accepted 23 November 2007, Available online 19 March 2008.

E-mail: andy0920@163.com

Highlights

Abstract

This paper deals with the bio-oxidation of galena particles (−80 meshes) using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and compares it with Fe³⁺ oxidation. Experimental results show that, at least, 0.00197 mol galena was leached from 100 mL pulp (density of 3.8%) with 39 days’ bio-oxidation, as compared to 0.00329 mol galena by Fe³⁺ with 9 days’ oxidation. Because Fe³⁺ was constantly consumed, leaching by Fe³⁺ almost stopped after 9 days. Large amounts of lead sulfate were detected in both bio-oxidation and Fe³⁺ oxidation of galena. A. ferrooxidans followed a unique growth pattern during the bio-oxidation of galena. In the initial 15 days, the bacteria attached themselves to the galena surface with the formation of erosion pits similar in shape and length to those of the bacteria, and there were hardly any bacteria suspended in the solution. After 15 days, suspended bacteria increased. It is thus suggested that A. ferrooxidans may directly oxidize galena.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans; Galena; Bio-oxidation

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