(Session 5)On the Fundamental Aspects of Apatite and Quartz Flotation Using a Gram Positive Strain as a Bioreagent

摘要

Mineral bioflotation encompasses the principles and methods used in mineralflotation using microorganisms as flotation reagents. This work deals with thefundamental aspects of apatite and quartz flotation using a R. opacus bacteria as abioreagent. The zeta potential results showed a change in the curves profile of theminerals after the bacterial interaction. This change was more significant in the zetapotential curves of apatite than those for quartz. The results also suggest that thebacterial adhesion onto the mineral surfaces was predominantly specific. The greatestapatite flotability achieved 90% at pH around 5, in the presence of 150 mg.L-1 ofbacteria after 5 minutes of flotation. On the other hand, quartz achieved a flotability of14% under the same experimental conditions. The fundamental flotation studiesshowed the prospective that R. opacus presents as a biocollector and biofrother and itspromising application in phosphate flotation industry.