title: Microbially induced flotation and flocculation of pyrite and sphalerite.
abstract: Cells of Paenibacillus polymyxa and their metabolite products were successfully utilized to achieve selective separation of sphalerite from pyrite, through microbially induced flocculation and flotation. Adsorption studies and electrokinetic investigations were carried out to understand the changes in the surface chemistry of bacterial cells and the minerals after mutual interaction. Possible mechanisms in microbially induced flotation and flocculation are outlined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Metallurgy, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
authors.forename: Partha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patra
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Natarajan
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption / Q000187:drug effects; D001407:Bacillus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005427:Flocculation; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics; D008903:Minerals; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003470:Culture Media; D008903:Minerals; D013440:Sulfides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C011342:pyrite; D007501:Iron; C031238:zinc sulfide