2004•Unpublished venueRequires access
Bacterial pyrite oxidation under different metabolic states ofbacteria
Šárka Helánová, Martin Mandl, Oldřich Janiczek, Kevin B. Hallberg, Pavel Bouchal, Alena Španová
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Abstract
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.