title: Kinetics of pyrite, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite dissolution by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.
abstract: The main objective of this study was to investigate the dissolution kinetics of pyrite, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite. Crushed minerals were reacted with Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (25 °C). The kinetics of dissolution was investigated by monitoring pH and Fe(2+) and Fe(3+) ion concentrations in the leaching solutions. Pyrite, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite dissolution by A. ferrooxidans was found to be a chemically controlled process. With bacteria, the dissolution rates of the minerals increased in the order of pyrrhotite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite. The number of cells attached to mineral surfaces increased in the same order. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was found to enhance the dissolution rates of the minerals. The acid-insoluble trait of pyrite and acid-soluble trait of the other 2 minerals affected the pH changes in the leaching solutions.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.|b Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34210 Esenler, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayse Tuba
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Kocaman
authors.affiliation: b Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34210 Esenler, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cemek
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
authors.forename: Katrina Jane
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D042763:Acidithiobacillus / Q000378:metabolism*; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012995:Solubility; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D013440:Sulfides; C012819:chalcopyrite; C011342:pyrite; D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron
keywords: Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans; chalcopyrite; cinétique de dissolution; dissolution kinetics; pyrite; pyrrhotite