Bacterial leaching of critical metal values from Polish copper metallurgical slags using Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans

Mikoda, Bartosz; Potysz, Anna; Kmiecik, Ewa

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.02.032

Cited by 40 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…As the metals leached from slags may pose a toxicity stress to bacteria, the microbial survivor rate was evaluated via an activity test [14,44]. In total, 1 mL of leachate from each biotic (GMB) and abiotic (GM) flask was transferred to tubes containing a sterile growth medium supplemented with 1% elemental sulfur.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, it is important to point out that in the present study, only selected elements were considered, while profit could presumably be increased when other critical metals are also included. As demonstrated recently, up to an additional $512 of profit can be made during biological treatment of one ton of Cu slags if critical and rare earth elements are taken into consideration too [44].…”

Section: Economic Potential For Treatment Of Historical Slagsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prospective (Bio)leaching of Historical Copper Slags as an Alternative to Their Disposal

Potysz

Kierczak

2019

Minerals

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of (bio)hydrometallurgical methods for metal extraction from historical copper slags. Two types of slags (amorphous slag—AS, and crystalline slag—CS) were subjected to 24 to 48 h of leaching with: (i) Sulfuric acid at 0.1, 0.5, and 1 M concentrations at 1%, 5%, and 10% pulp densities (PDs); and (ii) normality equivalent (2 N) acids (sulfuric, hydrochloric, nitric, citric, and oxalic) at pulp densities ranging from 1% to 2%. Bioleaching experiments were performed within 21 days with Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans accompanied by an abiotic control (sterile growth medium). The results demonstrated that the most efficient treatment for amorphous and crystalline slag was bioleaching at 1% PD over 21 days, which led to extraction of Cu at rates of 98.7% and 52.1% for AS and CS, respectively. Among the chemical agents, hydrochloric acid was the most efficient and enabled 30.5% of Cu to be extracted from CS (1% PD, 48 h) and 98.8% of Cu to be extracted from AS (1% PD, 24 h). Slag residues after leaching were characterized by strong alteration features demonstrated by the complete dissolution of fayalite in the case of CS and the transformation of AS to amorphous silica and secondary gypsum. Based on this study, we conclude that amorphous slag is a more suitable candidate for potential metal recovery because of its generally high susceptibility to leaching and due to the generation of residue significantly depleted in metals as the end product. The inventory of economically relevant metals showed that 1 ton of historical copper slag contains metals valued at $47 and $135 for crystalline and amorphous slag, respectively, suggesting that secondary processing of such materials can potentially be both economically and environmentally viable.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Economic Potential For Treatment Of Historical Slagsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prospective (Bio)leaching of Historical Copper Slags as an Alternative to Their Disposal

Potysz

Kierczak

2019

Minerals

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“…For example, [13] took into account some expenses related to maintenance of laboratory bioleaching and found out that economic profit is at the level of 15 euros per ton of slag. Likewise, [59] estimated $512 per ton of slag and [60] reported values of $90 (V) and $160 (Zn) per ton of slag provided that expenses related to treatment execution will be optimized. Although secondary waste processing is still not well developed, the environmental benefit created by this processing and the resulting generation of metal-depleted residues is a benefit that cannot be easily assessed.…”

Section: Prospective Treatments Of Metallurgical Wastesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioleaching and toxicity of metallurgical wastes

Potysz

Pędziwiatr

Hedwig

et al. 2020

Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

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Metallurgical wastes contain metals that are unrecovered during industrial processing. The disposal of these wastes is technically difficult due to the potential release of metals through weathering. Therefore, alternative management methods are currently sought. The high leaching susceptibility of these wastes combined with the need for alternative sources of rare and critical metals creates a need for residual element recovery. This study evaluated the leaching potential of lead matte and copper slag through chemical mineral acid leaching as well as indirect bioleaching with organic acids and direct bioleaching using Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. The leaching efficiency of these acids was compared based on different normality equivalents. Additionally, the effects of pulp density (1-10%) and extraction time (24-48 h) were assessed. Slag toxicity was assessed with a germination test in concentrated and diluted leachates using Brassica juncea. The results demonstrated that copper slag is particularly suitable for chemical treatment because as much as 91 wt.% Cu and 85 wt.% Zn or 70 wt.% Cu and 81 wt.% Zn were extracted using HNO 3 or bacterial leaching, respectively. The residual slag was characterized by significant metal depletion and the presence of gypsum, rendering it more suitable for further use or disposal. Lead matte released 65 wt.% Cu and 8 wt.% Zn using mineral acid leaching while 70 wt.% Cu and 12 wt.% Zn were released using bacterial leaching. Further process optimization is needed for lead matte to generate residue depletion in toxic metals. Toxicity assessment showed toxic characteristics in metal-loaded leachates originating from waste treatment that inhibited germination rates and root development.

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“…The biogenic production of sulphuric acid from elemental sulphur has been demonstrated as an indirect mechanism for enhancing the leaching of material other than sulphidic ore, e.g., limonitic ore [11] or metallurgic slag [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Three Approaches for Bioleaching of Rare Earth Elements from Bauxite

et al. 2020

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Approximately 300 million tonnes of bauxite are processed annually, primarily to extract alumina, and can contain moderate rare earth element (REE) concentrations, which are critical to a green energy future. Three bioleaching techniques (organic acid, reductive and oxidative) were tested on three karst bauxites using either Aspergillus sp. (organic acid bioleaching) or Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (reductive and oxidative bioleaching). Recovery was highest in relation to middle REE (generally Nd to Gd), with maximum recovery of individual REE between 26.2% and 62.8%, depending on the bauxite sample. REE recovery occurred at low pH (generally < 3), as a result of organic acids produced by Aspergillus sp. or sulphuric acid present in A. ferrooxidans growth media. Acid production was seen when A. ferrooxidans was present. However, a clear increase in REE recovery in the presence of A. ferrooxidans (compared to the control) was only seen with one bauxite sample (clay-rich) and only under oxidative conditions. The complex and varied nature of REE-bearing minerals in bauxite provides multiple targets for bioleaching, and although the majority of recoverable REE can be leached by organic and inorganic acids, there is potential for enhanced recovery by bioleaching.

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Bacterial leaching of critical metal values from Polish copper metallurgical slags using Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans

Cited by 40 publications

References 62 publications

Prospective (Bio)leaching of Historical Copper Slags as an Alternative to Their Disposal

Prospective (Bio)leaching of Historical Copper Slags as an Alternative to Their Disposal

Bioleaching and toxicity of metallurgical wastes

Comparison of Three Approaches for Bioleaching of Rare Earth Elements from Bauxite

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