Role of Fe/S ratios in the enhancement of uranium bioleaching from a complex uranium ore by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans consortium

Abstract

The role of Fe/S ratios (ω, g/g) in the uranium bioleaching from a complex uranium ore by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans consortium was investigated. The results showed good uranium extraction with over 90% at the Fe/S ratio of 5:0.5, 5:1 and 5:5, while poor extraction (<46%) at the Fe/S ratio of 5:0 and 5:10. Furthermore, the bacterial community analysis based on species-specific gyrB numbers indicated that, absent sulfur or excessive sulfur would be not conducive to the synergistic growth for A. ferrooxidans and A. thiooxidans, and then not conducive to the uranium dissolution. Meanwhile, the sulfur-oxidizers could play an important role in the process of uranium synergistic bioleaching by mixed bacterial consortia. Additionally, the characteristics of mineral residue was detected by SEM-EDS. The results showed appropriate sulfur dosage would change the structure and improve the porosity of passivation substance. Lastly, the uranium dissolution kinetics and biochemical reaction mechanism was analyzed. It indicated that the biochemical reaction coupling iron and sulfur had a pleiotropic effect on the uranium dissolution from the ore particles, appropriate Fe/S ratio is the key factor for uranium bioleaching by chemoautotrophic acidophiles.

Keywords

uranium bioleaching / Fe/S ratio / community dynamics / dissolution kinetics / reaction mechanism

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