Carbon Material with High Specific Surface Area Improves Complex Copper Ores’ Bioleaching Efficiency by Mixed Moderate Thermophiles

Abstract

The catalysis of carbon materials with different specific surface areas (SSA) (2, 400, 800 and 1200 m2/g) on complex copper ores bioleaching by moderately mixed thermophiles was investigated. The copper extractions increased with the rise in SSA of carbon materials. A recovery of 98.8% copper in the presence of 1200 m2/g activated carbon was achieved, and improved by 30.7% and 76.4% compared with biotic control and chemical leaching. Moreover, the addition of 1200 m2/g activated carbon adsorbed large amount of bacteria, accelerated the oxidation rate of ferrous iron and maintained the solution redox potential at relatively low values, and significantly increased the dissolution of primary copper sulfide (62.7%) compared to biotic control (6.0%). Microbial community succession revealed that activated carbon changed the microbial community composition dramatically. The S. thermosulfidooxidans ST strain gained a competitive advantage and dominated the microbial community through the whole bioleaching process. The promoting effect of carbon material with higher SSA on copper extraction was mainly attributed to better galvanic interaction, biofilm formation, direct contact and lower redox potential.

Keywords

• complex copper ores
• specific surface area
• primary copper sulfide
• low redox potential
• microbial community succession