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Enhancing bioleaching and iron oxidation efficiency of native strain of acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, by optimizing the ambient growth conditions

Arabian, D ; Sharif University of Technology

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  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. Abstract:
  3. In this study, we have investigated the bioleaching potential of a native strain of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans isolated from zinc and lead sulfide mines under varied ambient conditions of growth and substrate consumption. In the process of standardizing growth conditions to improve iron oxidation, bioleaching of zinc and lead is also found to be enhanced. The effects of pH, temperature, initial inoculum, Fe2+ and ammonium sulphate concentration on growth and bio-oxidation efficiency of the bacteria have been evaluated. The results indicate that the optimum pH required for the growth of the bacterium is 1.8; however, the same for maximum efficiency is 1.5. It is also found that pH has a profound effect on the growth and efficiency of the bacteria by controlling the precipitation of jarosite. Increasing the initial concentration of Fe2+ up to 4.0171 g/1, has increased the efficiency of isolate but the lag phase of bacterial growth was also increased with increasing in Fe2+ concentration as indicated by observed maximum cell number at this concentration of iron. Finally, the maximum bio-oxidation and growth of bacteria were achieved at 35 °C, 3 g/l ammonium sulphate and the initial inoculum of 6-8% (v/v). Moreover, In case of bioleaching of zinc and lead, maximum recovery of 98% of Zinc, is the main outcome of results as observed at 4 g/1 of Fe2+, by the bacterial strain under optimized experimental conditions. Copyright © Enviromedia
  4. Keywords:
  5. Bioleaching ; Ferrous sulphate ; Process optimization ; Sulfide ore ; Zinc sulfide ; Bacterium ; Growth rate ; Iron ; Jarosite ; Leaching ; Lead ; Microbial activity ; Mine ; Oxidation ; PH ; Temperature effect ; Zinc ; Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ; Bacteria (microorganisms)
  6. Source: Pollution Research ; Volume 28, Issue 3 , 2009 , Pages 329-336 ; 02578050 (ISSN)