Evolution of the bacterial population during the batch bioleaching of a cobaltiferous pyrite in a suspended-solids bubble column and comparison with a mechanically agitated reactor

Foucher, S; Battaglia-Brunet, Fabienne; d’Hugues, Patrick; Clarens, Manuel; Godon, Jean‐Jacques; Morin, Dominique

doi:10.1016/s0304-386x(03)00142-7

Cited by 64 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Spolaore et al [11] compared chalcopyrite leaching efficiency of an undefined leaching consortia under continuous condition with that in batch mode. The results show that the leaching kinetics in the continuous test were lower than in the batch test, which can be attributed to a smaller proportion of Sulfobacillus, in agreement with Foucher et al [12]. Extensive oxidization of metal sulfides by biofilms of Sb.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Enhancement of Biofilm Formation on Pyrite by Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans

Sand

Zhang

2016

Minerals

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Abstract:Bioleaching is the mobilization of metal cations from insoluble ores by microorganisms. Biofilms can enhance this process. Since Sulfobacillus often appears in leaching heaps or reactors, this genus has aroused attention. In this study, biofilm formation and subsequent pyrite dissolution by the Gram-positive, moderately thermophilic acidophile Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans were investigated. Five strategies, including adjusting initial pH, supplementing an extra energy source or ferric ions, as well as exchanging exhausted medium with fresh medium, were tested for enhancement of its biofilm formation. The results show that regularly exchanging exhausted medium leads to a continuous biofilm development on pyrite. By this way, multiply layered biofilms were observed on pyrite slices, while only monolayer biofilms were visible on pyrite grains. In addition, biofilms were proven to be responsible for pyrite leaching in the early stages.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Enhancement of Biofilm Formation on Pyrite by Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans

Sand

Zhang

2016

Minerals

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“…Another factor that may also have played a role is the ability to attach to the solid. Foucher et al (2003) underlined that because of its reduced ability to attach to the solid, Sb. thermosulfidooxidans seemed to be more affected than L. ferrooxidans and At.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The techniques available to carry out molecular microbial ecology are varied and have been reviewed extensively (Johnson and Hallberg 2007;Shippers 2007). They comprise CE-SSCP (Foucher et al 2003), DGGE (Demergasso et al 2005;Halinen et al 2009), real-time quantitative PCR (Zhang et al 2009. Some authors also combined culture dependent (plating) and biomolecular approaches (T-RLFP) (Wakeman et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between bioleaching performance, bacterial community structure and mineralogy in the bioleaching of a copper concentrate in stirred-tank reactors

Spolaore

Joulian

Gouin

et al. 2010

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol

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Hugues. Relationship between bioleaching performance, bacterial community structure and mineralogy in the bioleaching of a copper concentrate in stirred-tank reactors. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Springer Verlag, 2011, 89 (2) The experiments undertaken to produce the techno-economic data were also an opportunity to carry out more fundamental research. The objective of this work was to combine the results of the bioleaching experiments, in terms of copper recovery, with the results of bacterial community monitoring and mineralogy residue analysis.Batch and continuous bioleaching tests were carried out with 10% solids, at 42 °C and with a pH between 1.2 and 1.6. Final copper recovery was higher in batch cultures than in continuous mode (>95% vs. 91%). Mineralogical analysis showed that the limiting factor for copper recovery was incomplete chalcopyrite dissolution in both cases. However, chalcopyrite was even less dissolved in continuous conditions. This was also related to a variation in bacterial community structure. The population in all tests was composed of Acidithiobacillus caldus, Leptospirillum ferriphilum and one or two species of Sulfobacillus (thermosulfidooxidans and sometimes benefaciens) but Sulfobacillus and more generally sulphur oxidizers were more represented in batch mode.It was proposed that, due to their capacity to reduce inorganic compounds, sulphur oxidizers may be efficient in limiting chalcopyrite surface hindering. It may help to better dissolve this mineral and reach a better copper recovery.

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“…Using this technique, Rawlings et al (33) identified A. caldus and L. ferrooxidans in continuous-flow biooxidation tanks processing various metallic ores and operating at 40 to 55°C. Foucher et al (12) analyzed microbial populations in a stirred-tank bioreactor and an aerated column reactor operating at 35°C and processing cobaltiferous pyrite by extracting DNA, amplifying 16S rRNA genes, and sequencing screened clones. Three bacteria were identified: L. ferrooxidans, A. caldus, and a gram-positive bacterium related to Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Enumeration and Characterization of Acidophilic Microorganisms Isolated from a Pilot Plant Stirred-Tank Bioleaching Operation

Okibe

Gericke

Hallberg

et al. 2003

Appl Environ Microbiol

281

129

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Microorganisms were enumerated and isolated on selective solid media from a pilot-scale stirred-tank bioleaching operation in which a polymetallic sulfide concentrate was subjected to biologically accelerated oxidation at 45°C. Four distinct prokaryotes were isolated: three bacteria (an Acidithiobacillus caldus-like organism, a thermophilic Leptospirillum sp., and a Sulfobacillus sp.) and one archaeon (a Ferroplasma-like isolate). The relative numbers of these prokaryotes changed in the three reactors sampled, and the Ferroplasma isolate became increasingly dominant as mineral oxidation progressed, eventually accounting for >99% of plate isolates in the third of three in-line reactors. The identities of the isolates were confirmed by analyses of their 16S rRNA genes, and some key physiological traits (e.g., oxidation of iron and/or sulfur and autotrophy or heterotrophy) were examined. More detailed studies were carried out with the Leptospirillum and Ferroplasma isolates. The data presented here represent the first quantitative study of the microorganisms in a metal leaching situation and confirm that mixed cultures of iron-and sulfur-oxidizing prokaryotic acidophiles catalyze the accelerated dissolution of sulfidic minerals in industrial tank bioleaching operations. The results show that indigenous acidophilic microbial populations change as mineral dissolution becomes more extensive.The use of microorganisms to recover metals from lowgrade ores and mineral concentrates has developed into a successful and expanding area of biotechnology (32). The microbes catalyze metal recovery either by dissolution of metalcontaining sulfide minerals, such as chalcocite (bioleaching), or by dissolving sulfidic minerals that are intimately associated with the native metal (biooxidation), such as gold in refractory ores, thereby allowing the metal to be extracted by conventional (chemical) means. Different engineering approaches have been used to facilitate microbial mineral processing; these approaches include in situ leaching, dump and heap leaching of low-grade ores, and aerated stirred tanks for microbial processing of mineral concentrates (3). Stirred tanks have several advantages, including the potential to control the bioleaching environment (e.g., pH and temperature) and much shorter turnover times (the times required for mineral processing to be effectively completed), although such systems have large capital and operating costs. Mineral processing operations that use bioreactors generally involve parallel and in-line (primary and secondary) oxidation tanks in order to maximize mineral dissolution.Bioreactor mineral processing initially focused on the treatment of refractory gold sulfide ores. Successful commercial technologies include the BIOX process (5), which operates at ϳ40°C by using mesophilic acidophiles and the Mintek/ Bactech Bacox process, in which utilizes either mesophilic or moderately thermophilic cultures (26). However, the potential to recover other metals, such as Cu, Ni, Zn, and Co, was recognized la...

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Evolution of the bacterial population during the batch bioleaching of a cobaltiferous pyrite in a suspended-solids bubble column and comparison with a mechanically agitated reactor

Cited by 64 publications

References 12 publications

Enhancement of Biofilm Formation on Pyrite by Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans

Enhancement of Biofilm Formation on Pyrite by Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans

Relationship between bioleaching performance, bacterial community structure and mineralogy in the bioleaching of a copper concentrate in stirred-tank reactors

Enumeration and Characterization of Acidophilic Microorganisms Isolated from a Pilot Plant Stirred-Tank Bioleaching Operation

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