Bacterial pyrite oxidation under different metabolic states of bacteria
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2004 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Biochemistry |
| Keywords | pyrite oxidation; Thiobacillus |
| Description | Pyrite biooxidation is an important process in sulfide wastes and biohydrometallurgy resulting in environmental acidification. Induction of iron-oxidizing system in bacteria grown on sulfur seems to be an essential factor for pyrite oxidation. Electrochemical, proteomic and kinetic differences during bacterial pyrite oxidation by cultures of Acidithiobacillus ferooxidans grown on sulfur or iron were investigated. Based on electrochemical parameters of pyrite electrode, which was described for arsenopyrite oxidation studies [1], iron-oxidizing bacteria were able to oxidize pyrite since the beginning. Sulfur-oxidizing A. ferrooxidans provided rather reductive conditions at the beginning and was not able to oxidize pyrite immediately. Kinetic observations with pyrite concentrate demonstrated a lag phase in the ability of pyrite oxidation. Induction of iron-oxidizing system during the lag phase is assumed. |
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