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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1985 September; 50(3): 663-669
Copyright © 1985, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Parameters for the Operation of Bacterial Thiosalt Oxidation Ponds

Biotechnology Section, Extractive Metallurgy Laboratory, Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0G1

ABSTRACT

Shake flask and pH-controlled reactor tests were used to determine the mathematical parameters for a mixed-culture bacterial thiosalt treatment pond. Values determined were as follows: K_m and V_max (thiosulfate), 9.83 g/liter and 243.9 mg/liter per h, respectively; K_i (lead), 3.17 mg/liter; K_i (copper), 1.27 mg/liter; Q₁₀ between 10 and 30°C, 1.95. From these parameters, the required bioxidation pond volume and residence time could be calculated. Soluble zinc (0.2 g/liter) and particulate mill products and by-products (0.25 g/liter) were not inhibitory. Correlation with an operating thiosalt biooxidation pond showed the parameters used to be valid for thiosalt concentrations up to at least 2 g/liter, lead concentrations of at least 10 mg/liter, and temperatures of >2°C.