Impact of the copper solvent extraction reagent LIX 984N on the growth and activity of selected acidophiles

Influence of copper solvent extractant on microbial community structure of acidophilic microorganisms

“…It has been used as model microorganisms in the study of bioleaching processes, largely because it is widely distributed in acid mine drainage and bioleaching environments [19]. Previous studies [10] suggested that At. ferrooxidans can grow well in solutions containing LIX 984N at concentrations up to 250 mg/L.…”

“…So, in bioleaching environments the heterophile can increase concentrations of soluble ferrous iron and elimilate the inhibitory effect of organic substances [22]. WATLING et al [10] found that Acidiphilum cryptum which was closely related to A. organovorum could not use SX LIX 984N. This suggests that A. organovorum may not utilize extractant either.…”

“…QIU et al [9] found that the bacteriostasis order of the organic matter was as follows: 260 # kerosene+1.5% LIX 984N＞ 260 # kerosene＞circulated organic phase sampled from factory ＞ octanol + 1.5% LIX 984N ＞ octanol. WATLING et al [10] studied the effects of the copper extractant LIX 984N 20% (volume fraction) in Shellsol 2046 on the growth and activity of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans and Acidiphilium cryptum. They found that copper extraction was reduced to about one third with S. thermosulfidooxidans in the presence of 50 mg/L SX reagent compared with no SX reagent.…”

Investigation of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans in pure and mixed-species culture for bioleaching of Theisen sludge from former copper smelting

“…Moreover, phenolic compounds seem to have an inhibitory effect on autotrophic bioleaching microbes (Watling et al . ). Due to the high content of organic compounds in the blast‐furnace sludge the microbes could be impeded in performing metal oxidation.…”

Effect of organic extractant LIX 84IC, pH and temperature changes on bioleaching microorganisms during SX treatment

“…Bioleaching microorganisms are generally sensitive to organic solvents and there are few studies on solvent extraction reagents that have shown negative effects on microbial activity (Dopson et al, 2006;Escobar et al, 2009;Torma and Itzkovitch, 1976;Watling et al, 2009). These studies have recorded, mainly on pure cultures, the levels of organic extractant that decreases the activity but there are no studies that analyzed the actual effects on the microbial population (for an industrial operation) during the solvent extraction process.…”