Additions of Pyrite or Chalcopyrite Alters the Microbial Community Diversity, Composition and Function in Sphalerite Bioleaching Systems

Abstract:

Extraction of zinc from sphalerite using bio-hydrometallurgical technologies has become more and more popular. This study used an artificial microbial community with five known microorganisms to examine the relationship among microbial diversity, composition, and function (e.g., zinc extraction rates) in sphalerite bioleaching systems with additional pyrite (SP), chalcopyrite (SC), or both (SPC). Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis showed that additional pyrite or chalcopyrite changed the microbial community composition dramatically during the sphalerite bioleaching process. Shannon diversity index, compared with Sphalerite (0.109), showed an increase in SP (0.508), SC (0.536) and SPC (0.289) on day 30, and zinc extraction rates were enhanced by about 12.1%, 4.3% and 9.47%, respectively. Also, additional pyrite or chalcopyrite made ORP and the concentrations of Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺ and H⁺ increased, which were the main factors on shaping the microbial community composition by Mantel test analysis. We developed a unitary model, showing that additional pyrite or chalcopyrite increased the microbial community diversity.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 1130)
• Pages: 454-458
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1130.454
• Online since: November 2015
• Authors: Yun Hua Xiao, Xue Duan Liu, Hua Qun Yin, Wei Ling Dong, Yi Li Liang, Li Yuan Ma, Guan Zhou Qiu
• Keywords: Artificial Microbial Community, Real-Time PCR, Shannon Diversity Index, Sphalerite Bioleaching, Unitary Model

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