Selection of a community of acidochemolithotrophic microorganisms with a high oxidation rate of pyrrhotite-containing sulphide ore flotation concentrate

Abstract

A community of acidochemolithotrophic microorganisms with a high oxidation rate of pyrrho tite containing sulphide ore flotation concentrate was selected. The Acidithiobacillus caldus OP 1 and Ferro plasma acidiphilum OP 2 cultures were identified to be dominating members. The presence of the Acidithio bacillus ferrooxidans OP 3, Leptospirillum ferriphilum OP 4, and Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans OP 5 cul tures in the community's composition was also mentioned. The analysis results of solid residues of the process showed a greater elemental sulfur oxidation level and gold recovery when the initial pH value in tank I was maintained at a level of 1.8-2.0 (90.5%) rather than 1.6-1.8 (86.3%).

Shifts in the Microbial Populations of Bioleach Reactors Are Determined by Carbon Sources and Temperature

“…As the self-heating of industrial-scale reactors occurs, thermotolerant microorganisms, moderate thermophiles, and thermophiles predominate in the populations of the industrial-scale reactors. These microorganisms include representatives of both bacteria and archaea: the bacteria Leptospirillum and Sulfobacillus, moderately thermophilic representatives of the genus Acidithiobacillus (A. caldus), as well as archaea of the family Ferroplasmaceae (genera Acidiplasma and Ferroplasma) [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27].…”