Combined Recovery of Copper and Mitigation of Pollution Potential of a Synthetic Metal-Rich Stream Draining a Copper Mine in Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 1130 ◽  
pp. 606-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Laura Santos ◽  
D. Barrie Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Transition Metals ◽  
Mine Water ◽  
Low Ph ◽  
Reactor Vessel ◽  
Pollution Potential ◽  
Copper Mine ◽  
Sulfate Reducing ◽  
Sulfate Reducing Bioreactor ◽  
Synthetic Metal

A low pH sulfate-reducing bioreactor was used to selectively recover copper from synthetic pH 5 mine water draining a copper mine in Brazil, and also to remove other transition metals from solution. The design of the system used meant that a single bioreactor could be used for the process. Over 99% of the copper present was recovered as CuS in an off-line reactor vessel, while other metals (Ni, Co and Zn) were precipitated in the bioreactor vessel.

The Use of Algal Biomass to Sustain Sulfidogenic Bioreactors for Remediating Acidic Metal-Rich Waste Waters

2017 ◽  
Vol 262 ◽  
pp. 577-581
Author(s):  
Ana Laura Santos ◽  
D. Barrie Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Sulfide ◽  
Yeast Extract ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Axenic Culture ◽  
Low Ph ◽  
Waste Waters ◽  
Sulfate Reducing ◽  
Sulfate Reducing Bioreactor

Two different species of acidophilic micro-algae were grown in axenic culture, biomass harvested and injected into a low pH sulfate-reducing bioreactor, to act as a substrate for biosulfidogenesis. The hydrogen sulfide generated was used to precipitate copper in an off-line vessel, and the bioreactor pH was maintained by automated addition of a pH 2.5 feed liquor, to compensate for protons consumed by biosulfidogenesis. Results demonstrated the potential for using algal biomass for this purpose, precipitating about 1.5 mg Cu2+ L-1h-1, though rates of sulfidogenesis were considerably slower that when glycerol and yeast extract were used as organic feed-stocks.

Sulfate Removal from Extremely Acidic Wastewaters Using Consortia of Acidophilic Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria

2013 ◽  
Vol 825 ◽  
pp. 487-490
Author(s):  
Ivan Nancucheo ◽  
D. Barrie Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Mine Water ◽  
Ferrous Iron ◽  
Close Agreement ◽  
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria ◽  
Low Ph ◽  
Mine Waters ◽  
Sulfate Reducing ◽  
Sulfate Removal ◽  
Water Ph ◽  
Reducing Bacteria

A low pH sulfidogenic bioreactor, maintained between pH 2.8 and 4.0, was used to lower sulfate concentrations in two extremely acidic (pH 1.3 to 3.0) synthetic mine waters that contained ferrous iron but no other chalcophilic metals. Tests with water carried out with synthetic mine water from a German site showed that 98% of the sulfate present could be removed by manipulating the water pH and concentration of electron donor (glycerol) for the sulfate-reducing bacteria. While more sulfate was removed with synthetic Chilean mine water (up to 35 mmoles L-1), this only accounted for between 50-60% of the total present. There was close agreement between the stoichiometry of glycerol used and the amount of sulfate removed, particularly with the German mine water.

scholarly journals Iron Transformations Induced by an Acid-Tolerant Desulfosporosinus Species

2011 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doug Bertel ◽  
John Peck ◽  
Thomas J. Quick ◽  
John M. Senko
Keyword(s):  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Low Ph ◽  
Content Type ◽  
X Ray ◽  
First Order ◽  
Geochemical Conditions ◽  
Sulfate Reducing ◽  
Mineral Phases ◽  
Magnetic Analysis ◽  
Acid Tolerant

ABSTRACTThe mineralogical transformations of Fe phases induced by an acid-tolerant, Fe(III)- and sulfate-reducing bacterium,Desulfosporosinussp. strain GBSRB4.2 were evaluated under geochemical conditions associated with acid mine drainage-impacted systems (i.e., low pH and high Fe concentrations). X-ray powder diffractometry coupled with magnetic analysis by first-order reversal curve diagrams were used to evaluate mineral phases produced by GBSRB4.2 in media containing different ratios of Fe(II) and Fe(III). In medium containing Fe predominately in the +II oxidation state, ferrimagnetic, single-domain greigite (Fe3S4) was formed, but the addition of Fe(III) inhibited greigite formation. In media that contained abundant Fe(III) [as schwertmannite; Fe8O8(OH)6SO4·nH2O], the activities of strain GBSRB4.2 enhanced the transformation of schwertmannite to goethite (α-FeOOH), due to the increased pH and Fe(II) concentrations that resulted from the activities of GBSRB4.2.

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