• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1747-1754
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• 2008

Acidithiobaeillus ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 is an important model organism for bioleaching and bioremediation studies owing to its diverse metabolic capabilities, whereas lix984n is a widely used extractant. Little is known about the response of cbb genes in A. ferrooxidans to lix984n shock. Thus, to elucidate the response of the $CO_2$ fixation genes in A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 to the addition of lix984n, the gene expression of cbb genes was examined using a real-time PCR. Although a natural increase or decrease in the expression of most cbb genes was observed after 5 min of shock with 3% (v/v) lix984n, sdhC and cbbR exhibited quick responses to the shock. Ten min of shock had a greater effect on the cbb gene expression, yet 15 min of shock had a significant effect on the Calvin cycle in A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270, as the expression of all the cbb genes reached a very high level. Therefore, after a short lix984n shock, a solution of A. ferrooxidans can be re-used for bioleaching.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.235-244
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• 2011

A batch experiment of pyrite oxidation was performed and the surfaces of the reacted pyrite were regularly observed with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) together with the chemical compositions of the solution to help understand the oxidation mechanisms of pyrite by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (Af). The dissolved Fe concentrations clearly indicated that Af experiences the lag and then exponential growth phase. An Af cell was observed to be attached to the surface of pyrite during the lag, implying that a direct leaching by the microbe really happens for the period. It is not certain, however, whether the main mechanism of pyrite oxidation during that time was the direct leaching or not, because there were just a few cells confirmed to be attached and most of the dissolved Fe was Fe(III). The dissolved Fe concentration stayed almost constant from the mid-lag phase to just before the onset of the exponential phase, suggesting that AI needs an adaptation time to switch its oxidation mechanism from one to the other whichever it is during that stage of growth. The moment of Af's cell division was observed by SEM on the surface of pyrite during the lag phase. The corrosion outline around the dividing cell was quite similar to the shape of the cell itself, which implies that the rate of the microbial oxidation is very uneven and the rate when the cell metabolizes should be much faster than that calculated from the concentration variation of the dissolved Fe. The number of etch holes by Af is much higher on the inoculated surfaces, indicating the average rate of pyrite oxidation is also much faster than that of abiotic oxidation. The microbial etch holes on pyrite surface are small and deep, which may influence the transition of the growth phases of Af from lag to exponential.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.30-40
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• 2021

The present study investigates the bioleaching efficiencies of arsenic via contact and non-contact mechanisms. The attachment of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was restricted by a partition system comprising a semi-permeable membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of 12-14 kDa. The results were compared for two arsenic concentrations in the system (1.0% and 0.5% w/v) to maintain a homogeneous system. The overall bacterial performance was monitored by comparing total arsenic and iron concentrations, Fe ion speciation, pH, and solution redox potentials in flask bioleaching experiments over a period of 10 d. Our results indicated that bacterial attachment could increase arsenic extraction efficiency from 20.0% to 44.9% at 1.0 % solid concentrations. These findings suggest that the bacterial contact mechanism greatly influences arsenic bioleaching from mine tailings. Therefore, systems involving two-step or non-contact bioleaching are less effective than those involving one-step or contact bioleaching for the efficient extraction of arsenic from mine tailings.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.249-253
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• 2015

Microorganisms specifically groups of bacteria exhibiting physiological activities of production of acids are a major cause of concern because of their ability to induce corrosion in oil field pipelines and metal systems involved in water handling. Water Injection Stations as a means of secondary recovery from existing oil producing reservoirs, are often employed in most upstream oil and gas industries to ensure replenishment of voidage, maintenance of reservoir pressure and optimization of crude emulsion throughput. In the present study, scanning electron microscopy of macroscopic orange coloured slime formations sampled from leaking valves on the flow-lines of a Water Injection Stations of Oil India Limited revealed the presence of filamentous bacterial mats in association with diatoms. The species composition of the acidic slime formations from the sampled locations reveal the possible role of acid producing iron oxidizing bacteria (IOB) like Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans in association with Gomphonema sp. in creating conditions for bio-corrosion.