Bioleaching of tellurium from mine tailings by indigenous Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

Abstract

Significance and Impact of the Study: We evaluated the bioleaching of tellurium (Te) from mine tailings by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, investigated the bioleaching behaviour of Te and explored the possible mechanism involved. The results showed that bioleaching is a feasible method to recover Te from mine tailings, and the leaching behaviour of Te is similar to that of sulphur in sulphide minerals. There is an indirect mechanism involved in bioleaching of Te. This study not only shows a biotechnological potential that is gainfully utilized in the recovery of Te from mine tailings, but also expands the knowledge on the range of bacterial leaching theory known for sulphide minerals.

Microbial mechanisms to transform the super-trace element tellurium: a systematic review and discussion of nanoparticulate phases

“…Tellurium is usually present in aqueous environments in trace concentrations less than 1 µg/L (Llaver et al 2021 ). Tellurium is most often one of a suite of contaminant elements present in settings such as acid mine drainage of Te-bearing pyrites (Zhan et al 2022 ). However, the few studies that do exist suggest that tens of thousands of tonnes of tellurium have been released to the environment during industrial activities which process Te-rich feedstocks, with 9500 tonnes estimated to have been released to the atmosphere from copper smelters alone (Wiklund et al 2018 ).…”

The cryptic step in biogeochemical Tellurium (Te) cycle: Indirect elementary Te oxidation mediated by manganese-oxidizing bacterium (MnOB)

“…In acidic condition (pH < 3.0), telluride (Te(-II)) in mine tailings can be oxidized to Te(IV) and Te(VI) in the presence of Fe(III) and bacteria Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans through biogenic sulfuric acid, suggesting the possibility of Te 0 oxidation in this condition. 13 However, the Te 0 produced in Te(IV)-containing wastewater usually in neutral condition, whether the Te 0 oxidation could occur widely in the environment is still a mystery.…”

Microbial interaction and transformation of metals and metalloids

“…In addition, bioleaching of tellurium (Te) and rare‐earth elements (REEs) using a chemoautotrophic bacterium Acidothiobacillus ferroxidans were reported through contact and/or non‐contact mechanisms, indicating the putative application of metal resistant bacterium in mining industry (Zhan et al . 2021; Tian et al . 2022).…”