?INFLUENCE OF NUTRIENTS ON THE BIOLOGICAL OXIDATIVE ACTIVITIES OF ALOCALLY ISOLATED THIOBACILLUS FERROOXlDAN
Keywords:
Thiobacillus ferrooxidan, Ammonium nitrate, Ammonium phosphate, OxidationAbstract
The strain of Thiobacillusferrooxidan was isolated from the Sorange coal mine water in ferrous sulphate medium. The 
effects of inorganic nitrogen (NH4+' NO)-) and phosphate on the biological oxidation of copper sulphide ore were 
examined. It is observed that the iron was solubilized first from FeS2 or Fet • x S to as Fe'" and then oxidized to Fe"'", The 
dissolution of iron Fe'" was a chemical reaction whereas the conversion of Fe'" to Fe"'" was bacteria mediated. The 
addition and increase in the concentration of phosphate delayed and reduced the conversion of Fe'" to Fe"'". Ammonium 
was found to be the preferred source of nitrogen for the isolated bacterium. The nitrogen as NH/ increased the Fe'" 
oxidation whereas NO)· had negative effect. The solubilization of copper was directly related to the Fe'" iron oxidation. 
Maximum dissolved copper concentration were observed in 6mM ammonium supplemented medium and minimum in 
6mM nitrate. 
 
						