Kinetics of Pyrite, Pyrrhotite and Chalcopyrite Dissolution by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

The main objective of this study was to investigate the dissolution kinetics of pyrite, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite. Crushed minerals were reacted with A. ferrooxidans (25째C). The kinetics of dissolution was investigated by monitoring pH and Fe2+, Fe3+ ion concentrations in the leaching solutions. Pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite dissolution by A. ferrooxidans were found to be chemically controlled processes. The dissolution rates of the minerals with bacteria increased in the order of pyrrhotite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite. The attached cell numbers to mineral surfaces increased in the same order. A. ferrooxidans was found to enhance the dissolution rates of the minerals. The acid-insoluble trait of pyrite and acid-soluble trait of the other two minerals affected the pH changes in the leaching solutions.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author