Stepwise dissolution of chalcopyrite bioleaching by thermophile A.manzaensis and mesophile L. ferriphilum

Abstract

Chalcopyrite dissolution was evaluated by bioleaching and electrochemical experiments with thermophile A. manzaensis (Acidianus manzaensis) and mesophile L. ferriphilum (Leptospirillum ferriphium) cultures at 65 °C and 40 °C, respectively. It was investigated that the bioleaching of chalcopyrite was stepwise. It was reduced to Cu₂S at a lower redox potential locating in the whole bioleaching process by A. manzaensis at high temperature while only at initial days of bioleaching by L. ferriphilum at a relative low temperature. No reduced product was detected when the redox potential was beyond a high level (e.g., 550 mV (vs SCE)) bioleached by L. ferriphilum. Chalcopyrite bioleaching efficiency was substantially improved bioleached by A. manaensis compared to that by L. ferriphilum, which was mainly attributed to the reduction reaction occurring during bioleaching. The reductive intermediate Cu₂S was more amenable to oxidation than chalcopyrite, causing enhanced copper extraction.

Keywords

chalcopyrite / Acidianus manzaensis / Leptospirillum ferriphilum / bioleaching / electrochemistry

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