1. Electrochemical monitoring of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans biofilm formation on graphite surface with elemental sulfur
- Author
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J. Viridiana García-Meza, Marcela Méndez-Tovar, and Ignacio González
- Subjects
Surface Properties ,Biophysics ,chemistry.chemical_element ,02 engineering and technology ,Spectrum Analysis, Raman ,01 natural sciences ,Electrochemical cell ,Extracellular polymeric substance ,Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans ,Electrochemistry ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,biology ,Chemistry ,010401 analytical chemistry ,Biofilm ,General Medicine ,Electrochemical Techniques ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,biology.organism_classification ,Sulfur ,0104 chemical sciences ,Dielectric spectroscopy ,Chemical engineering ,Biofilms ,Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ,Graphite ,Cyclic voltammetry ,0210 nano-technology ,Energy source ,Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions - Abstract
Inorganic wastewaters and sediments from the mining industry and mineral bioleaching processes have not been fully explored in bioelectrochemical systems (BES). Knowledge of interfacial changes due to biofilm evolution under acidic conditions may improve applications in electrochemical processes, specifically those related to sulfur compounds. Biofilm evolution of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans on a graphite plate was monitored by electrochemical techniques, using the graphite plate as biofilm support and elemental sulfur as the only energy source. Even though the elemental sulfur was in suspension, S0 particles adhered to the graphite surface favoring biofilm development. The biofilms grown at different incubation times (without electric perturbation) were characterized in a classical three electrode electrochemical cell (sulfur and bacteria free culture medium) by non-invasive electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry. The biofilm structure was confirmed by Environmental Scanning Electrode Microscopy, while the relative fractions of exopolysaccharides and extracellular hydrophobic compounds at different incubation times were evaluated by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy. The experimental conditions chosen in this work allowed the EIS monitoring of the biofilm growth as well as the modification of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) composition (hydrophobic/ exopolysaccharides EPS ratio). This strategy could be useful to control biofilms for BES operation under acidic conditions.
- Published
- 2019