title: Synergy between Rhizobium phaseoli and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans in the Bioleaching Process of Copper.
abstract: This study investigates the synergy of Rhizobium phaseoli and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans in the bioleaching process of copper. The results showed that additional R. phaseoli could increase leaching rate and cell number of A. ferrooxidans. When the initial cell number ratio between A. ferrooxidans and R. phaseoli was 2 : 1, A. ferrooxidans attained the highest final cell number of approximately 2 × 10(8) cells/mL and the highest copper leaching rate of 29%, which is 7% higher than that in the group with A. ferrooxidans only. R. phaseoli may use metabolized polysaccharides from A. ferrooxidans, and organic acids could chelate or precipitate harmful heavy metals to reduce their damage on A. ferrooxidans and promote its growth. Organic acids could also damage the mineral lattice to increase the leaching effect.
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China; Oil and Gas Field Applied Chemistry Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610500, China; College of Resource and Environment Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
authors.forename: Xuecheng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: College of Resource and Environment Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
authors.forename: Dongwei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D042763:Acidithiobacillus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D003300:Copper / Q000633:toxicity*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry; D042161:Rhizobium phaseoli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals; D003300:Copper