Enhanced oxidation mechanism of arsenopyrite in two-stage oxidation process applying bio-oxidation waste solution

Abstract

Applying bio-oxidation waste solution (BOS) to chemical-biological two-stage oxidation process can significantly improve the bio-oxidation efficiency of arsenopyrite. This study aims to clarify the enhanced oxidation mechanism of arsenopyrite by evaluating the effects of physical and chemical changes of arsenopyrite in BOS chemical oxidation stage on mineral dissolution kinetics, as well as microbial growth activity and community structure composition in bio-oxidation stage. The results showed that the chemical oxidation contributed to destroying the physical and chemical structure of arsenopyrite surface and reducing the particle size, and led to the formation of nitrogenous substances on mineral surface. These chemical oxidation behaviors effectively promoted Fe³⁺ cycling in the bio-oxidation system and weakened the inhibitory effect of the sulfur film on ionic diffusion, thereby enhancing the dissolution kinetics of the arsenopyrite. Therefore, the bio-oxidation efficiency of arsenopyrite was significantly increased in the two-stage oxidation process. After 18 d, the two-stage oxidation process achieved total extraction rates of (88.8±2.0)%, (86.7±1.3)%, and (74.7±3.0)% for As, Fe, and S elements, respectively. These values represented a significant increase of (50.8±3.4)%, (47.1±2.7)%, and (46.0±0.7)%, respectively, compared to the one-stage bio-oxidation process.

Keywords

bio-oxidation / arsenopyrite / two-stage oxidation process / microbial community / kinetics

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