Dissolution of Sulphur Particles by Thiobaci//us ferrooxidans: Substrate

The growth of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans on sulphur is known to proceed through the attachment of cells to the sulphur particles. Experiments, however, show that the cells in the liquid phase, which are not attached to the sulphur particles, also grow. It has been shown through the use of a two-compartment membrane reactor that this increase is partially due to the release of ions, cor-responding to partially oxidized states of sulphur, into the solution by the attached cells. The main soluble ion has been found to be thiosulphate, but traces of sulphit