Enhancement in bacterial leaching of chalcopyrite by surfactant addition

摘要

The effects of six surfactants on bacterial leachingof chalcopyrite by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans were investigatedwithout nutrient mineral salts such as ammonium sulfate. Withappropriate concentrations of Tween20, Tween40, Tween60 orBrij35, the amount of extracted copper increased. Tween80 andTween85 containing non-polar parts with unsaturated bondingsalso enhanced chalcopyrite leaching, but the amount of copperextracted were lower than those with the others. The role ofsurfactants on bacterial leaching of chalcopyrite was discussedbased on the indirect leaching mechanism.