Interactions of the extremely acidophilic archaeon Ferroplasma acidiphilum with acidophilic bacteria during pyrite bioleaching

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nova Maulani ◽  
Qian Li ◽  
Wolfgang Sand ◽  
Mario Vera ◽  
Ruiyong Zhang

Bioleaching has been applied as a successful technique for metal recovery from various mineral sources like low-grade ores, waste materials and tailings. Mixed cultures of bioleaching microorganisms have a high performance in mineral dissolution. Thus far, microbial interactions in bioleaching communities are poorly understood. In this paper, the acidophilic archaeon Ferroplasma acidiphilum and the bacteria Leptospirillum ferriphilum and Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans were chosen to study their interactions during pyrite leaching. The initial attachment to pyrite and pyrite leaching efficiency of pure and mixed populations were investigated. The data indicate: (i) attachment and bioleaching efficiency of L. ferriphilum was reduced in the presence of F. acidiphilum. However, the combination of F. acidiphilum and S. thermosulfidooxidans showed increased leaching, although the initial attachment rate was reduced, when compared to pure cultures. Thus, synergistic or antagonistic interactions may exist between F. acidiphilum and S. thermosulfidooxidans or F. acidiphilum and L. ferriphilum, respectively; (ii) pre-established biofilms of L. ferriphilum inhibited initial attachment to pyrite by cells of F. acidiphilum and did not promote pyrite leaching by F. acidiphilum. In contrast, inactivated biofilm cells of S. thermosulfidooxidans enhanced pyrite bioleaching by F. acidiphilum; (iii) adhesion forces of cells to an AFM tip (Si3N4) seemed to be not correlated to attachment and bioleaching capacity; and (iv) lectins were applied to show and distinguish single species in mixed biofilm populations. Physical contact between cells of S. thermosulfidooxidans and F. acidiphilum was visible. 

1999 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 585-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Bacelar-Nicolau ◽  
D. Barrie Johnson

ABSTRACT Seven strains of heterotrophic iron-oxidizing acidophilic bacteria were examined to determine their abilities to promote oxidative dissolution of pyrite (FeS2) when they were grown in pure cultures and in mixed cultures with sulfur-oxidizingThiobacillus spp. Only one of the isolates (strain T-24) oxidized pyrite when it was grown in pyrite-basal salts medium. However, when pyrite-containing cultures were supplemented with 0.02% (wt/vol) yeast extract, most of the isolates oxidized pyrite, and one (strain T-24) promoted rates of mineral dissolution similar to the rates observed with the iron-oxidizing autotroph Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. Pyrite oxidation by another isolate (strain T-21) occurred in cultures containing between 0.005 and 0.05% (wt/vol) yeast extract but was completely inhibited in cultures containing 0.5% yeast extract. Ferrous iron was also needed for mineral dissolution by the iron-oxidizing heterotrophs, indicating that these organisms oxidize pyrite via the “indirect” mechanism. Mixed cultures of three isolates (strains T-21, T-23, and T-24) and the sulfur-oxidizing autotroph Thiobacillus thiooxidans promoted pyrite dissolution; since neither strains T-21 and T-23 nor T. thiooxidans could oxidize this mineral in yeast extract-free media, this was a novel example of bacterial synergism. Mixed cultures of strains T-21 and T-23 and the sulfur-oxidizing mixotrophThiobacillus acidophilus also oxidized pyrite but to a lesser extent than did mixed cultures containing T. thiooxidans. Pyrite leaching by strain T-23 grown in an organic compound-rich medium and incubated either shaken or unshaken was also assessed. The potential environmental significance of iron-oxidizing heterotrophs in accelerating pyrite oxidation is discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Barrie Johnson ◽  
Sarah L. Smith ◽  
Ana Laura Santos

Using acidophilic bacteria to catalyze the reductive dissolution of oxidized minerals is an innovative process that facilitates the extraction of valuable base metals (principally cobalt and nickel) from limonites, which are otherwise often regarded as waste products of laterite mining. The most appropriate conditions required to optimize reductive mineral dissolution are unresolved, and the current work has reassessed the roles of Acidithiobacillus spp. in this process and identified novel facets. Aerobic bio-oxidation of zero-valent sulfur (ZVS) can generate sufficient acidity to counterbalance that consumed by the dissolution of oxidized iron and manganese minerals but precludes the development of low redox potentials that accelerate the reductive process, and although anaerobic oxidation of sulfur by iron-reducing species can achieve this, less acid is generated. Limited reduction of soluble iron (III) occurs in pure cultures of Acidithiobacillus spp. (Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and Acidithiobacillus caldus) that do not grow by iron respiration. This phenomenon (“latent iron reduction”) was observed in aerated cultures and bioreactors and was independent of electron donor used (ZVS or hydrogen). Sufficient ferrous iron was generated in the presence of sterilized hydrophilic sulfur (bio-ZVS) to promote the effective reductive dissolution of Mn (IV) minerals in limonite and the solubilization of cobalt in the absence of viable acidophiles.


Author(s):  
V.K. Berry

There are two strains of bacteria viz. Thiobacillus thiooxidansand Thiobacillus ferrooxidanswidely mentioned to play an important role in the leaching process of low-grade ores. Another strain used in this study is a thermophile and is designated Caldariella .These microorganisms are acidophilic chemosynthetic aerobic autotrophs and are capable of oxidizing many metal sulfides and elemental sulfur to sulfates and Fe2+ to Fe3+. The necessity of physical contact or attachment by bacteria to mineral surfaces during oxidation reaction has not been fairly established so far. Temple and Koehler reported that during oxidation of marcasite T. thiooxidanswere found concentrated on mineral surface. Schaeffer, et al. demonstrated that physical contact or attachment is essential for oxidation of sulfur.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao-Yang Zhang ◽  
Tao LI

Solar energy and ambient heat are two inexhaustible energy sources for addressing the global challenge of energy and sustainability. Solar thermal battery based on molecular switches that can store solar energy and release it as heat has recently attracted great interest, but its development is severely limited by both low energy density and short storage stability. On the other hand, the efficient recovery and upgrading of low-grade heat, especially that of the ambient heat, has been a great challenge. Here we report that solar energy and ambient heat can be simultaneously harvested and stored, which is enabled by room-temperature photochemical crystal-to-liquid transitions of small-molecule photoswitches. The two forms of energy are released together to produce high-temperature heat during the reverse photochemical phase change. This strategy, combined with molecular design, provides high energy density of 320-370 J/g and long-term storage stability (half-life of about 3 months). On this basis, we fabricate high-performance, flexible film devices of solar thermal battery, which can be readily recharged at room temperature with good cycling ability, show fast rate of heat release, and produce high-temperature heat that is >20<sup> o</sup>C higher than the ambient temperature. Our work opens up a new avenue to harvest ambient heat, and demonstrate a feasible strategy to develop high-performance solar thermal battery.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao-Yang Zhang ◽  
Tao LI

Solar energy and ambient heat are two inexhaustible energy sources for addressing the global challenge of energy and sustainability. Solar thermal battery based on molecular switches that can store solar energy and release it as heat has recently attracted great interest, but its development is severely limited by both low energy density and short storage stability. On the other hand, the efficient recovery and upgrading of low-grade heat, especially that of the ambient heat, has been a great challenge. Here we report that solar energy and ambient heat can be simultaneously harvested and stored, which is enabled by room-temperature photochemical crystal-to-liquid transitions of small-molecule photoswitches. The two forms of energy are released together to produce high-temperature heat during the reverse photochemical phase change. This strategy, combined with molecular design, provides high energy density of 320-370 J/g and long-term storage stability (half-life of about 3 months). On this basis, we fabricate high-performance, flexible film devices of solar thermal battery, which can be readily recharged at room temperature with good cycling ability, show fast rate of heat release, and produce high-temperature heat that is >20<sup> o</sup>C higher than the ambient temperature. Our work opens up a new avenue to harvest ambient heat, and demonstrate a feasible strategy to develop high-performance solar thermal battery.


1993 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 775-778
Author(s):  
S. B. Gupta ◽  
T. S. Sheshadri
Keyword(s):  

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (43) ◽  
pp. 49080-49089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fengshuo Xi ◽  
Zhao Zhang ◽  
Xiaohan Wan ◽  
Shaoyuan Li ◽  
Wenhui Ma ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 777 ◽  
pp. 564-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long He ◽  
Jin Shi Li ◽  
Mei Hua Chen ◽  
Yan Yang ◽  
Xin Peng Lou ◽  
...  

A high-performance quartz sand insulation brick was prepared by using low grade quartz sand under different sintering process conditions. The optimum sintering process conditions were obtained by analyzing the relationship between microstructure and sintering process. Through the compounding, pulping, forming, drying and sintering processes, and the performance test of the porous brick, the following conclusions can be drawn, the comprehensive performance in all aspects, the porosity is similar, the preferred high compressive strength conditions, in order to get a best The bonding point, brick body sintering temperature of 1150 °C, porosity of 74.56%, compressive strength of 2.1 MPa of porous brick, and the pores are smooth, more uniform distribution. With the prolonging of the holding time, the porosity of the porous brick is reduced, and the performance is 1h, the porosity is 77.22% and the compressive strength is 2.05 MPa. When the raw material ratio is 60% quartz sand, 30wt% kaolin, calcium carbonate 9.6wt%, foaming agent 0.4wt%, water ratio 0.9 holding time at 1h sintering at 1150°C can get better porosity and compressive strength of the insulation brick. The porous material was sintered at 1150 °C, the content of foaming agent was 0.2wt%, the ratio of water to material was 0.9, and the compressive pressure and porosity were the better.


2013 ◽  
Vol 825 ◽  
pp. 322-325
Author(s):  
Beate Krok ◽  
Axel Schippers ◽  
Wolfgang Sand

Low grade copper ores containing chalcopyrite are increasingly used for copper recovery via biomining. Since metal sulfide oxidation is an exothememic process, bioleaching activity can be measured due to the heat output by microcalorimetry, which is a non-destructive and non-invasive method. The bioleaching activity of pure cultures ofSulfolobus metallicus,Metallosphaera hakonensisand a moderate thermophilic enrichment culture on high grade chalcopyrite was evaluated. Chalcopyrite leaching by microorganisms showed a higher copper recovery than sterile controls. Chemical chalcopyrite leaching by acid produced heat due to the exothermic reaction, the heat output was increased while metal sulfide oxidation by microorganisms.


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