Bacterial Removal of Iron from Bauxite Ores: A Comparative Study Using Three Dissimilatory Iron Reducing Microorganisms

Abstract:

Bio-beneficiation of ores through iron removal is a common technique, but not yet tested for the case of bauxite. In this study we compared the iron reducing ability of three bacterial species with and without the chelating action of EDTA. Tests were carried out using a diasporic bauxite sample containing 19.3% Fe2Ο3 in the form of hematite, goethite and chamosite. Reductive dissolution was attempted using three neutrophilic, dissimilatory Fe(III) respirators, i.e. the facultative anaerobes Shewanella putrefaciens and Ferrimonas balearica and the strict anaerobe Desulfuromonas palmitatis. Almost 25% of Fe was reduced by D. palmitatis and S. putrefaciens and 30% by F. balearica in bauxite samples. In the case of S. putrefaciens and F. balearica, Fe(III) reduction took place without addition of EDTA, but most of the biologically produced Fe(II) reprecipitated. The addition of EDTA proved to hinder the bioreduction potential for both S. putrefaciens and F. balearica. On the contrary, D. palmitatis was able to reduce Fe(III) oxides only in the presence of EDTA. Moreover, the presence of EDTA helped maintain biogenic ferrous iron in solution.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 71-73)
• Pages: 505-508
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.71-73.505
• Online since: May 2009
• Authors: N. Papassiopi, K. Vaxevanidou, A. Kontogianni
• Keywords: Bauxite, Biobeneficiation, Iron Reducing Bacteria

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