Progress Reports
E-2*: Leaching of Molybdenite by a Thermophilic Chemoautotrophic Microorganism
by C. L. Brierley, 1972, 6 p.
(*The first 7 publications in this series were designated "target exploration" reports)
The molybdenite-leaching capabilities of a previously reported thermophilic chemoautotrophic microorganism are described for stationary-flask extractions and leach columns. The yield of soluble molybdenum after 30 days of biological leaching was 6.9 percent by either stationary-flask or column leaching as opposed to 0.06 to 0.10 percent for uninoculated controls.
The tolerance of the thermophilic isolate to molybdenum is also demonstrated. The organism was able to oxidize elemental sulfur in the presence of molybdenum concentrations as high as 1,600 ppm.
The preliminary data presented in this report suggest that the organism may be useful as an agent for high temperature biological leaching. Further investigations are in progress, and a more comprehensive report anticipated.
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