The Effect of Metal Ions on the Growth and Ferrous Iron Oxidation by Leptospirillum ferriphilum CC Isolated from Armenia Mine Sites

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of newly isolated strain Leptospirillum (L.) ferriphilum CC for bioleaching of pyrite and chalcopyrite in pure or mixed culture with other iron- and/or sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. In this paper, kinetics of ferrous iron (Fe2+) oxidation by newly isolated strain Leptospirillum (L.) ferriphilum CC was studied. The effect of initial Fe2+ in the concentration range of 50–400 mM on bacterial growth and iron oxidation was studied. It was shown that microbial Fe2+ oxidation was competitively inhibited by Fe3+. The influence of copper, zinc, nickel and cobalt ions on the oxidation of Fe2+ by L. ferriphilum CC was also studied. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for each metal ion were determined. The toxicity of the ions was found to be as follows: Co > Zn > Ni > Cu. The comparison of iron oxidation kinetic parameters of L. ferriphilum CC with other strains of L. ferriphilum indicates the high potential of strain L. ferriphilum CC for biogenic regeneration of concentrated ferric iron (Fe3+) in bioleaching processes of ores and ore concentrates. Bioleaching tests indicated that the newly isolated L. ferriphilum CC can be a prospective strain for the bioleaching of sulfide minerals in pure culture or in association with other iron- and/or sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.