Biotransformation of Arsenopyrite by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Abstract:

Abstract. In this study, the arsenopyrite was used as representative of gold-bearing sulfides in Carlin-Type gold ores to test the ability of oxidation on them by P. chrysosporium. After shaking incubation for 20 days, the conversion rates of iron, sulfur and arsenic in arsenopyrite were 6.28%, 35% and 21.76%, which were 44.86, 2.98 and 48.36 times compared with the asepsis system, respectively. It indicated that the P. chrysosporium could improve obviously the biotransformation rate of arsenopyrite by its own metabolic activity. The electrochemical oxidation behavior of arsenopyrite in the leaching system without and with P. chrysosporium were detected with electrochemical technology. The results showed that the P. chrysosporium did not change the oxidation mechanism of arsenopyrite, but strong oxidizing environment, which was structured by its products-oxidative enzymes and hydrogen peroxide, could promote the transformation from Fe2+ to Fe3+. P. chrysosporium could significantly decrease pitting potential and improve polarization current of arsenopyrite electrode and then accelerate its corrosion process. These indicated that P. chrysosporium was an available microorganism for degrading and transforming sulfides. P. chrysosporium could break gold inclusion and improve gold leaching rate, and finally realized economical and efficient application of Carlin-type gold ores.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 825)
• Pages: 309-313
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.825.309
• Online since: October 2013
• Authors: Qian Liu, Hong Ying Yang, Li Li Qiao
• Keywords: Arsenopyrite, Electrochemistry, Oxidation, Phanerochaete chrysosporium

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