Journal article
The resilience and versatility of acidophiles that contribute to the bio-assisted extraction of metals from mineral sulphides
Environmental Technology, Vol.31(8), pp.915-933
2010
Abstract
In this paper, a brief outline is presented on acidic ferric ion oxidation of mineral sulphides for the extraction of metals in both stirred tank reactors for mineral concentrates and heaps for low-grade ores. The identities and capabilities of the relatively few acidophiles that assist the oxidative processes are summarized and their responses to selected extremes in their growth environments described. Individually, the organisms adapt to the presence of high concentrations of heavy metals and other elements in the bioleaching environment, tolerate a wide range of acidities and can recover from prolonged exposure to temperatures significantly above their preferred temperatures for growth. However, the presence of chloride in their acidic environment presents a significant physiological challenge. Species that exhibit a chemotactic response and attachment to sulphide surfaces, where they can create their own micro-environments, would be favoured in both heap bioreactors with low availability of energy substrates and physically aggressive, agitated continuous stirred-tank reactor environments treating concentrates.
Details
- Title
- The resilience and versatility of acidophiles that contribute to the bio-assisted extraction of metals from mineral sulphides
- Authors/Creators
- H.R. Watling (Author/Creator) - Parker Hannifin (United States)E.L.J. Watkin (Author/Creator)D.E. Ralph (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Environmental Technology, Vol.31(8), pp.915-933
- Publisher
- Selper Ltd.
- Identifiers
- 991005543339207891
- Copyright
- © 2010 Taylor & Francis
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Chemical and Mathematical Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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103 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 7 Engineering & Materials Science
- 7.229 Mineral & Metal Processing
- 7.229.774 Bioleaching
- Web Of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences
- ESI research areas
- Environment/Ecology