Bioleaching of zinc and aluminum from indutrial waste sludges by means of Thiobacillus ferroxidans

摘要

Biological solubilisation of heavy metals contained in two different kinds of industrial wastes was performed in batches employ- ing a strain of Thiobacillus ferroxidans. The wastes tested were: a dust coming form the iron-manganese alloy production in an electric furnace (sludge 1) and a sludge coming form a process treatment plant of aluminium anodic oxidation (sludge 2). The experimental results pointed out the ability of the used strain to maintain the environment, that initially has a pH about 8, at strongly acid conditions (pH 2.5-3.5), producing sulphuric acid that is the chemical agent responsible for the metals solubilisation.