Investigation of microbial metal-sulfide interfacial environments under mineral bioleach simulated conditions

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dc.contributor.advisorHarrison, Susan T Len_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorVan Hille, Robert Pen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorAfrica, Cindy-Jadeen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2017-08-28T13:14:54Z
dc.date.available2017-08-28T13:14:54Z
dc.date.issued2017en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThis research pertains to bioleaching of copper containing ores with particular reference to the copper sulfide mineral chalcopyrite (CuFeS2). While it is focused on heap bioleaching, it has applications to stirred tank bioleaching operations. In the context of bioleaching, microbial extra-cellular polymeric substance (EPS) components are thought to complex chemical oxidants and extend the chemical reaction space available for mineral dissolution reactions, making the microbial-mineral-EPS interface the dominant active zone in terms of microbial oxidation and mineral dissolution. There is a limited understanding of microbial biofilm formation within a bioleach heap. The implication of various microorganisms having a set of defined or optimal conditions under which they colonise and proliferate is quite substantial. Understanding what creates favourable interfacial microenvironments enabling a sessile population to flourish (and thereby decrease lag time) has great implications for minimising costs and maximising productivity. Furthermore, limited work has been conducted on thermophilic microorganisms relevant to bioleaching. These microorganisms are pertinent to successful bioleaching at high temperatures, with work incorporating low grade ores and gangue mineralogy also being scarce. The aim of this research is to provide a thorough investigation into microbial-metal sulfide interfacial environments in situ, using a thermophilic archaeon M. hakonensis, low-grade metal-sulfide ores, a series of temperature regimes, heap-simulating conditions and an in depth extraction and analysis of the EPS produced under varied culturing conditions.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationAfrica, C. (2017). <i>Investigation of microbial metal-sulfide interfacial environments under mineral bioleach simulated conditions</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25001en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationAfrica, Cindy-Jade. <i>"Investigation of microbial metal-sulfide interfacial environments under mineral bioleach simulated conditions."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25001en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationAfrica, C. 2017. Investigation of microbial metal-sulfide interfacial environments under mineral bioleach simulated conditions. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.risTY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Africa, Cindy-Jade AB - This research pertains to bioleaching of copper containing ores with particular reference to the copper sulfide mineral chalcopyrite (CuFeS2). While it is focused on heap bioleaching, it has applications to stirred tank bioleaching operations. In the context of bioleaching, microbial extra-cellular polymeric substance (EPS) components are thought to complex chemical oxidants and extend the chemical reaction space available for mineral dissolution reactions, making the microbial-mineral-EPS interface the dominant active zone in terms of microbial oxidation and mineral dissolution. There is a limited understanding of microbial biofilm formation within a bioleach heap. The implication of various microorganisms having a set of defined or optimal conditions under which they colonise and proliferate is quite substantial. Understanding what creates favourable interfacial microenvironments enabling a sessile population to flourish (and thereby decrease lag time) has great implications for minimising costs and maximising productivity. Furthermore, limited work has been conducted on thermophilic microorganisms relevant to bioleaching. These microorganisms are pertinent to successful bioleaching at high temperatures, with work incorporating low grade ores and gangue mineralogy also being scarce. The aim of this research is to provide a thorough investigation into microbial-metal sulfide interfacial environments in situ, using a thermophilic archaeon M. hakonensis, low-grade metal-sulfide ores, a series of temperature regimes, heap-simulating conditions and an in depth extraction and analysis of the EPS produced under varied culturing conditions. DA - 2017 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2017 T1 - Investigation of microbial metal-sulfide interfacial environments under mineral bioleach simulated conditions TI - Investigation of microbial metal-sulfide interfacial environments under mineral bioleach simulated conditions UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25001 ER -en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/25001
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationAfrica C. Investigation of microbial metal-sulfide interfacial environments under mineral bioleach simulated conditions. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research, 2017 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25001en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentCentre for Bioprocess Engineering Research
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectBioprocess Engineering
dc.titleInvestigation of microbial metal-sulfide interfacial environments under mineral bioleach simulated conditionsen_ZA
dc.typeDoctoral Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoral
dc.type.qualificationnamePhDen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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