Effect of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans during Redox Leaching of Manganese Nodules and Nickel Sulfide

摘要

The effect of nickel sulfide during the leaching of manganese nodules was studied. The dissolution of Co and Mn from the nodule was promoted by the redox leaching with nickel sulfide. The dissolution of Co and Mn in the redox leaching was 76% and 56% respectively, while the dissolution was below 5% in the absence of nickel sulfide. The effect of an iron oxidizing bacterium during the redox leaching of the manganese nodule and nickel sulfide was also studied. Thiobacillus ferrooxidans adapted to nickel ion was used in the leaching. The dissolution of Co increased to 96% with the inoculation of T. ferrooxidans. The mechanism of the bacterial leaching of manganese nodules and nickel sulfide is discussed.