Response of soil fungal community to long-term chromium contamination

To further study the fungal community in heavy metal contaminated ecosystems,soil samples were collected from an abandoned chromium(Cr)factory,and fungal community was analyzed by Illumina sequencing of Internal Transcribed Spacer(ITS)amplicons.The results showed that Cr contamination changed the composition and structure of soil fungal community,but didn’t change the diversity.Fungus showed various responses to Cr contamination.LEfSe analysis revealed that the biomarker changed a lot in the Cr-contaminated samples in comparison with that in the control samples.The changes in fungal community may be caused by the direct toxic effects on fungi by high concentration of Cr and the significant change in soil properties resulting from Cr contamination.Among all the Cr fractions,organic matter-bound Cr and exchangeable Cr showed significant effects on the fungal community and organic matter also showed a significant effect on soil fungal community.

Photogenerated-hole scavenger for enhancing photocatalytic chalcopyrite bioleaching

The effects of photogenerated-hole scavengers(ascorbic acid,oxalic acid,humic acid and citric acid)on chalcopyrite bioleaching in the presence of visible light were studied using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans(A.ferrooxidans).Four sets of bioleaching experiments were performed:(1)visible light+0 g/L scavenger,(2)visible light+0.1 g/L of different scavenger(ascorbic acid,oxalic acid,humic acid and citric acid),(3)dark+0.1 g/L of different scavenger(ascorbic acid,oxalic acid,humic acid and citric acid),and(4)dark+0 g/L scavenger(control group).The results showed that ascorbic acid and oxalic acid could act as photogenerated-hole scavengers and significantly enhance chalcopyrite bioleaching under visible light.The dissolved copper in the light group without scavenger was only 18.7%higher than that of the control group.The copper extraction rates of the light groups with oxalic acid and ascorbic acid were respectively 30.1%and 32.5%higher than those of the control group.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD)and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR)analyses indicated that ascorbic acid and oxalic acid as photogenerated-hole scavenger could capture photo-generated holes and inhibit jarosite formation on the chalcopyrite surface,thereby enhancing bioleaching of chalcopyrite under visible light.

Selective depression of copper-activated sphalerite by polyaspartic acid during chalcopyrite flotation

Environmentally friendly flotation reagent,polyaspartic acid(PAPA),was tested as a potential selective depressant in the flotation separation of chalcopyrite and Cu-activated sphalerite.The depression mechanism of PAPA was revealed by contact angle measurements,Zeta potential measurements,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR)analysis and inductively coupled plasma(ICP)measurement.The micro-flotation tests with single minerals showed that PAPA selectively depressed Cu-activated sphalerite,while chalcopyrite remained floatable.Moreover,a concentrate containing 31.40%Cu with a recovery of 92.43%was obtained in flotation tests of artificially mixed minerals.Results of contact angle measurements,Zeta potential measurements and FT-IR spectrum revealed that PAPA exerted a much stronger adsorption on Cu-activated sphalerite surface than on chalcopyrite surface,preventing the further adsorption of sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate(DDTC)on its surface.ICP measurements indicated that PAPA had an excellent complexing ability with Cu^(2+)in flotation pulp,weakening the activation of Cu species on sphalerite surface and producing selective depression.

Comparative study on bioleaching of two different types of low-grade copper tailings by mixed moderate thermophiles

The bioleaching of two different types of low-grade copper tailings,acid-leaching tailings(ALT)and copper flotation tailings(CFT)by mixed moderate thermophiles,and the variation of mineralogical and microbiological characteristics during their dissolution processes were comparatively investigated.Results showed that bioleaching behaviors of the two types of tailings were significantly different.In ALT bioleaching,lower redox potential,higher[Fe3+]/[Fe2+]ratio and higher cell density in solution were obtained.These resulted in higher total copper,primary copper sulfide and secondary copper sulfide extractions,compared with CFT bioleaching.X-ray diffraction analysis suggested that gypsum and some metal organic complexes were detected in CFT bioleaching,which could cause the sluggish oxidation of sulphide minerals.The shifts of microbial community in the leachates and leaching residues varied greatly between ALT and CFT bioleaching.The percentage of iron-oxidizing bacteria in ALT bioleaching was higher than that of CFT,but the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria percentage was the opposite.The archaeon F.thermophilum L1 was detected in ALT but not in CFT.

Thin-layer heap bioleaching of copper flotation tailings containing high levels of fine grains and microbial community succession analysis

Thin-layer heap bioleaching of copper flotation tailings containing high levels of fine grains was carried out by mixed cultures on a small scale over a period of 210 d. Lump ores as a framework were loaded at the bottom of the ore heap. The overall copper leaching rates of tailings and lump ores were 57.10wt% and 65.52wt%, respectively. The dynamic shifts of microbial community structures about attached microorganisms were determined using the Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform based on 16S rRNA amplification strategy. The results indicated that chemolithotrophic genera Acidithiobacillus and Leptospirillum were always detected and dominated the microbial community in the initial and middle stages of the heap bioleaching process; both genera might be responsible for improving the copper extraction. However, Thermogymnomonas and Ferroplasma increased gradually in the final stage. Moreover, the effects of various physicochemical parameters and microbial community shifts on the leaching efficiency were further investigated and these associations provided some important clues for facilitating the effective application of bioleaching. © 2017, University of Science and Technology Beijing and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Comparative study on chalcopyrite bioleaching with assistance of different carbon materials by mixed moderate thermophiles

The catalysis of four carbon materials including artificial graphite(AG), carbon black(CB), activated carbon(AC) and carbon nanotube(CN) on chalcopyrite bioleaching by mixed moderate thermophiles was comparatively investigated. In AC and AG added bioleaching groups, low solution pH and suitable redox potential values, high total iron and ferric iron concentrations, and large number of adsorbed bacteria were obtained, resulting in high copper extractions. CB and CN inhibited the growth of bioleaching bacteria and led to the low bioleaching efficiency.X-ray diffraction analysis showed that jarosite and sulfur film were the main components of passivation layer with the addition of AG and AC,but did not hinder the dissolution of chalcopyrite. Microbial community structures of free and attached cells in AC and AG added groups changed dramatically compared with mixed moderate thermophiles. The sulfur-oxidizing bacteria of A. caldus S1 strain dominated the microbial community(93%-98%) at the end of bioleaching.The iron-oxidizing bacteria of L.ferriphilum YSK only accounted for low percentage(1%-2%).

Selective depression mechanism of combination of lime and sodium humate on arsenopyrite in flotation separation of Zn-As bulk concentrate

Lime(CaO)and sodium humate(NaHA)were used as the combined depressant for arsenopyrite pre-treated by CuSO_(4) and butyl xanthate.Micro-flotation tests show that the combined depressant CaO and NaHA achieved the selective depression of arsenopyrite.Closed-circuit lab-scale test results indicate that the synergistic effect of CaO+NaHA achieved a satisfactory flotation separation of sphalerite and arsenopyrite,for which the Zn grade and recovery of Zn concentrate were 51.21%and 92.21%,respectively.Contact angle measurements,adsorption amount measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicate that the dissolved calcium species(mainly as Ca(2+))were adsorbed on the mineral surfaces,thereby promoting NaHA adsorption.Moreover,the surface of the arsenopyrite absorbed more amount of calcium species and NaHA than that of the sphalerite,thereby accounting for the strong hydrophilic surface of arsenopyrite.The adsorption of NaHA on arsenopyrite was mainly chemical adsorption through its carboxyl groups and Ca atoms,whereas that on sphalerite surface was relatively weak.

Comparative genome analysis on intraspecific evolution and nitrogen fixation of Leptospirillum ferriphilum isolates

To reveal the intraspecific evolution of Leptospirillum ferriphilum isolates which thrived in industrial bioleaching ecosystems and acid mine drainages,genome sequences of L.ferriphilum YSK,L.ferriphilum DX and L.ferriphilum ZJ were determined to compare with complete genome of L.ferriphilum ML-04.The genome comparisons reveal that extensive intraspecific variation occurs in their genomes,and that the loss and insertion of novel gene blocks of probable phage origin may mostly contribute to heterogeneity of gene content among L.ferriphilum genomes.Surprisingly,a nif gene cluster is identified in L.ferriphilum YSK and L.ferriphilum ZJ genomes.Intensive analysis and further experiments indicate that the nif gene cluster in L.ferriphilum YSK inherits from ancestor rather than lateral gene transfer.Overall,results suggest that the population of L.ferriphilum undergoes frequent genetic recombination,resulting in many closely related genome types in recent evolution.The combinatorial processes profoundly shape their physiologies and provide the basis for adaptation to different niches.

Biotech key to unlock mineral resources value

This work aims to describe the history of biometallurgy in China,introduce the development and application of biometallurgy technologies in exploitation of mineral resources,and identify the main challenges and future directions.Although the earliest biometallurgy activities in China were documented in 6th−7th century BC,fundamental research and biometallurgy applications started relatively late in this country.Rapid development,from phenotypic to genotypic characterization of biometallurgy microorganisms,as well as from theoretical to practical applications,has been made in China since the 1950s.The integrated applications of biometallurgy technology in copper,gold,and uranium extraction ensured China’s economic reserves of strategic mineral resources.Developing more efficient microorganisms and strengthening the micro-interface reactions will be an effective way to improve the biometallurgy efficiency.Biometallurgy technologies can also be adapted to recovery of valuable metal from marine minerals and e-wastes and environmental protection including carbon sequestration and heavy metal polluted soil/sediment bioremediation.

Effect of As(Ⅲ)on kinetics of Fe^(2+)bio-oxidation

Fe^(2+) bio-oxidation influenced by toxic metal ions released from the dissolution of arsenic-bearing gold ores was investigated.Fe^(2+) bio-oxidation by moderately thermophilic microorganisms was studied under different initial concentrations of Fe^(2+) and As(Ⅲ),and Monod equation was used to fit the Fe^(2+) bio-oxidation under different conditions.Results showed that the Fe^(2+) bio-oxidation rate increased as the initial Fe^(2+) concentration increased until it reached 12 g/L.As(Ⅲ)severely inhibited Fe^(2+) bio-oxidation.When the As(Ⅲ)concentration was 8 g/L,9 g/L Fe^(2+) was more than 200 h.The Monod equation fitted the Fe^(2+) bio-oxidation well.In the absence of As(Ⅲ),the maximum specific growth rate of the culture and the substrate affinity constant were 0.142 h^(−1) and 0.053 g/L,respectively.As(Ⅲ)inhibited Fe^(2+) bio-oxidation via competitive inhibition,and the inhibition constant was 0.0035 g/L.

Responses of bacterial community to potential heap construction methods of fine-grained copper tailings in column bioleaching system

The column bioleaching of copper flotation tailings was comparatively investigated using layered heap construction method(LM),agglomerate heap construction method(AM),and pellets-sintering heap construction method(PM).The bacterial communities of free,attached,weakly-attached,and strongly-attached microbes in the later bioleaching stage were investigated.In AM group,the addition of lump sulphide ore resulted in the low leachate pH,high ferric iron concentration,and rapid microbial adsorption,which obtained the maximum copper extraction(60.1%)compared with LM(54.6%)and PM(43.9%)groups.The relative abundance of dominant genera and microbial communities of different microbiota underwent changes in three heap construction methods.The alpha-diversity indexes of attached,weakly-attached,and strongly-attached microbes were different,while no significant change was observed in free bacteria.The variation of whole bacterial community was significantly associated with solution pH,total iron,and ferric iron concentrations.Pearson correlation analysis and partial least square path model both indicated that attached bacteria made larger contribution to the copper extraction of tailings.