Effect of Sodium Chloride on Pyrite Bioleaching and Initial Attachment by Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans.

ABSTRACT: Biomining applies microorganisms to extract valuable metals from usually sulfidic ores. However, acidophilic iron (Fe)-oxidizing bacteria tend to be sensitive to chloride ions which may be present in biomining operations. This study investigates the bioleaching of pyrite (FeS₂), as well as the attachment to FeS₂ by Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans DSM 9293^T in the presence of elevated sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations. The bacteria were still able to oxidize iron in the presence of up to 0.6M NaCl (35 g/L), and the addition of NaCl in concentrations up to 0.2M (~12 g/L) did not inhibit iron oxidation and growth of S. thermosulfidooxidans in leaching cultures within the first 7 days. However, after approximately 7 days of incubation, ferr

SUBMITTER: Huynh D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7516052 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature