Abstract

SEMENZA, M.; VIERA, M.; CURUTCHET, G.  and  DONATI, E.. The role of Acidithiobacillus Caldud in the bioleaching of metal sulfides. Lat. Am. appl. res. [online]. 2002, vol.32, n.4, pp.303-306. ISSN 0327-0793.

In the absence of iron, dissolution of zinc sulfide was enhanced by the action of Acidithiobacillus caldus at 40^oC. The bioleaching mechanism was similar to that observed for mesophilic species of Acidithiobacillus at 30^oC, although the final metal recovery was lower. When iron was added to the cultures, the solubilization of zinc and copper from the sulfides was higher than that in sterile controls. The activity of the cells was through two indirect mechanisms (acid and oxidant mechanisms, for zinc and copper sulfides respectively). A. caldus did not enhance the dissolution of nickel sulfide neither in the absence nor in the presence of iron.

Keywords : Metal sulfides; Acidithiobacillus caldus; Bioleaching; Sulfur.

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