Standard Test Method for Determining the Rate of Bioleaching of Iron From Pyrite by <i>Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans</i>

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers procedures for determining the rate of bioleaching of iron from pyrite (FeS2) by the bacterium Thiobacillus ferrooxidans .
1.2  This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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ASTM E1357-90(1996)e1 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Rate of Bioleaching of Iron From Pyrite by <i>Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans</i>
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
e1
Designation: E 1357 – 90 (Reapproved 1996)
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Rate of Bioleaching of Iron From Pyrite by
Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1357; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—Section 3 was updated and Section 12 was added editorially in October 1996.
1. Scope leaching is determined from the linear portion of a curve-
plotting soluble iron produced versus time.
1.1 This test method covers procedures for determining the
4.2 The average rate of soluble iron production in mg of
rate of bioleaching of iron from pyrite (FeS ) by the bacterium
iron/L/h is reported along with values for uninoculated con-
Thiobacillus ferrooxidans.
trols. The standard deviation for triplicate flasks is also
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
reported. Also to be reported is the particle size range of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
pyrite and the initial and final pH values of the test solutions.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5. Significance and Use
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 The development and refinement of processes for bi-
2. Referenced Documents oleaching of metal ores and coal desulfurization require
intercomparison of bioleaching data both to better understand
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 metal ore bioleaching mechanisms and to develop more
D 516 Test Methods for Sulfate Ion in Water
effective strains. For uncertain reasons, different strains of T.
D 1068 Test Methods for Iron in Water
2 ferrooxidans exhibit different pyrite leaching rates and different
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
sources of pyrite vary widely in susceptibility to microbial
D 4455 Test Method for Enumeration of Aquatic Bacteria
3 attack.
by Epifluorescence Microscopy Counting Procedure
5.2 This test method has been developed to provide a
3. Terminology standard procedure for evaluating the rate of bioleaching of
iron from iron pyrite (FeS ), a commonly used growth sub-
3.1 Definition: 2
strate for T. ferrooxidans and an important mineral that is
3.1.1 soluble iron—the complexed and dissolved iron as
biologically degraded in commercial bioleaching operations
determined by Vuorinen et al. in their study of the species of
and in many exposed coal deposits. A high leaching rate in this
iron released from pyrite oxidation by T. ferrooxidans. They
test is evidence for potential degradability of the mineral in
found that values of complexed and dissolved iron corre-
mining operations. A low rate of bioleaching suggests that the
sponded closely with “total iron” as determined after hot
mineral is inherently not a good substrate or that it contains
sulfuric acid digestion of samples, particularly at 1 to 2 % pulp
toxicants toward thiobacilli, and might not be readily bioleach-
density.
ing in a mining operation.
4. Summary of Test Method
6. Apparatus
4.1 Cells of T. ferrooxidans grown on ferrous iron are added
6.1 An Gyratory Incubator-Shaker, for maintaining cultures
to conical flasks containing finely ground iron pyrite in an
at constant temperature (28 6 2°C) and agitation rate (200
inorganic salts medium (2 % pulp density). The culture is
r/min) during both inoculum preparation and the leaching test.
incubated with agitation and samples are periodically with-
6.2 An Ultraviolet-Visible Light Spectrophotometer, Colo-
drawn for determination of soluble iron. The rate of pyrite
rimeter or Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, for deter-
mining concentration of soluble iron.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-48 on
6.3 A Centrifuge, for harvesting cells of T. ferrooxidans
Biotechnology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E48.03 on Unit
Processes and Their Control. prior to inoculation of the pyrite suspension and for removing
Current edition approved May 25, 1990. Published July 1990.
particles of iron from solution prior to analysis for soluble iron.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
A filtration apparatus may also be used for particle removal
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02.
prior to analysis for soluble iron.
Vuorinen, A., Hiltunen, P., Hsu, J. C., and Tuovinen, O. H., “Solubilization and
Speciation of Iron During Pyrite Oxidation by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans,” Geomi-
6.4 Conical Flasks, 500, 250 ml or 125 mL (non-baffled).
crobiology Journal, Vol 3, 1983, pp. 95–120.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E 1357
7. Reagents and Materials pyrite are sterilized at 110°C and cooled prior to inoculation.
Make sure that the pH of the solution after autoclaving is near
7.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
2.0. The flasks are weighed so that losses of water due to
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
evaporation can be replaced.
all reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee on
Analytical Reagents of the American ChemicalSociety where
NOTE 1—Where samples of pyrite contain appreciable acid buffering
such specifications are available. Other grades may be used, capacity (for example, associated carbonates), the pH in the testing
solution may rise to levels unsuitable for optimal growth of T. ferrooxi-
provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently
dans. Although the elevated pH indicates that the sample of pyrite may not
high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of
be a good substrate for T. ferrooxidans, the investigator may wish to
the determination.
determine the inherent bioleachability of the pyrite free from associated
7.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
acid-neutralizing minerals. In this case, the pyrite may be washed fi
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