title: Probing the whole ore chalcopyrite-bacteria interactions and jarosite biosynthesis by Raman and FTIR microspectroscopies.
abstract: The whole ore chalcopyrite-bacteria interaction and the formation of the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) during the bioleaching process by microorganisms found in the mine of Hellenic Copper Mines in Cyprus were investigated. Raman and FTIR microspectroscopies have been applied towards establishing a direct method for monitoring the formation of secondary minerals and the newly found vibrational marker bands were used to monitor the time evolution of the formation of covellite, and the K(+) and NH4(+)-jarosites from the chalcopyrite surfaces. The Raman data indicate that the formation of K(+)-jarosite is followed by the formation of NH4(+)-jarosite. The variation in color in the FTIR imaging data and the observation of the amide I vibration at 1637cm(-1) indicate that the microorganisms are attached on the mineral surface and the changes in the frequency/intensity of the biofilm marker bands in the 900-1140cm(-1) frequency range with time demonstrate the existence of biofilm conformations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adamou
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Copper Mines, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Giorgos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Manos
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Copper Mines, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Messios
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Copper Mines, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Lazaros
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Georgiou
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Copper Mines, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xydas
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos, Cyprus. Electronic address: c.varotsis@cut.ac.cy.
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Varotsis
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D008906:Mining; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013431:Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism*; D014732:Vibration
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; D013431:Sulfates; C492331:jarosite; C012819:chalcopyrite; D003300:Copper
keywords: Bioleaching; Chalcopyrite; Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS); FTIR; K(+)- and NH(4)(+)-jarosites; Raman