Studies on multi-metal ion tolerance of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

Das, A and Modak, JM and Natarajan, KA (1997) Studies on multi-metal ion tolerance of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. In: Minerals Engineering, 10 (7). pp. 743-749.

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Abstract

The influence of different concentrations of base metal ions, such as CU2+, Zn2+ and Fe3+, when present either alone or in different possible binary and ternary combinations in a 9K medium, on the fel rous ion oxidation ability of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans was studied. Levels and degree of toxicity of these ions have been quantified in terms of toxicity index (TI). Copper and zinc tolerant strains of the bacteria were developed through serial subculturing and their activity tested in the presence of the above metal ions in comparison with the behavior of wild unadapted cells under similar conditions. Copper tolerant strains (25 g/L Cu2+) were found to be more efficient in the bioleaching of both copper and zinc concentrates than wild unadapted strains, while zinc tolerant strains (40 g/L Zn2+) exhibited better leaching efficiency only in the bioleaching of sphalerite concentrates. The significance and relevance of multi-metal ion tolerance in Thiobacillus ferrooxidans has been highlighted with respect to bioleaching of sulphide mineral concentrates. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Minerals Engineering
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Elsevier Science.
Keywords:	Sulphide ores;hydrometallurgy;bioleaching;biooxidation
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Chemical Engineering
Date Deposited:	24 Jun 2011 05:13
Last Modified:	24 Jun 2011 05:13
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/38501

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