Oxidation of metal sulfides by <i>Thiobacillus ferrooxidans</i> grown on different substrates

Abstract

Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, grown on either ferrous sulfate, lead sulfide concentrate, or chalcopyrite concentrate demonstrated oxygen uptake and CO 2 fixation in the presence of ferrous sulfate, chalcopyrite ore, pyrite ore, and red antimony trisulfide. Lead suifide-grown cells could oxidize lead sulfide ore and galena, using the energy obtained for CO 2 fixation. All three cell types could oxidize nickel sulfide, but could not fix CO 2 in the presence of this substrate. The solubilization of metals from the substrates and the crystallographic changes in the insoluble residues are reported.