Adsorption and leaching of chalcopyrite by Sulfolobus metallicus YN24 cultured in the distinct energy sources

The chalcopyrite-adsorption characteristics and leaching properties of Sulfolobus metallicus (S. metallicus) YN24 were investigated in this study. The effects of zeta potentials of S. metallicus samples on chalcopyrite cultivated with distinct sources of energy were similar. Regardless of the energy source cultivated, all of the investigated S. metallicus samples adhered rapidly to the chalcopyrite surface, with an adhesion plateau being reached within 60 min. However, the mineral-cultured S. metallicus adsorbed more strongly onto chalcopyrite than the sulfur-cultured S. metallicus did. Furthermore, chalcopyrite-leaching tests suggested that the copper-leaching ability of the mineral-cultured S. metallicus was also greater than that of unadapted S. metallicus. Therefore, the results provide insights into the mechanism of mineral-surface adsorption of microorganisms that helps enhance the copper-leaching rate.