1. Characterization of arsenopyrite oxidizing Thiobacillus. Tolerance to arsenite, arsenate, ferrous and ferric iron.
- Author
-
Collinet MN and Morin D
- Subjects
- Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans drug effects, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans growth & development, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans metabolism, Arsenates pharmacology, Minerals, Thiobacillus drug effects, Thiobacillus growth & development, Arsenic metabolism, Arsenic pharmacology, Arsenicals, Arsenites, Ferric Compounds pharmacology, Ferrous Compounds pharmacology, Iron metabolism, Iron Compounds, Sulfides, Thiobacillus metabolism
- Abstract
Two strains of Thiobacillus, T. ferrooxidans and T. thiooxidans, have been isolated from a bacterial inoculum cultivated during a one-year period in a 1001 continuous laboratory pilot for treatment of an arsenopyrite/pyrite concentrate. The optimum pH for the growth of both strains has been found to be between 1.7 and 2.5. Because of the high metal toxicity in bioleach pulps, the tolerance of T. ferrooxidans and T. thiooxidans with respect to iron and arsenic has been studied. The growth of both strains is inhibited with 10 g/l of ferric ion, 5 g/l of arsenite and 40 g/l of arsenate. 20 g/l of ferrous iron is toxic to T. ferrooxidans but 30 g/l is necessary to impede the growth of T. thiooxidans.
- Published
- 1990
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