Bidirectional effects of sulfur-oxidizer Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans in uranium bioleaching systems with or without sulfur by mixed acidophilic bacteria

The various effects of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans (A. thiooxidans) on uranium bioleaching by mixed acidophilic bacteria was explored in the presence of ferrous substrates with or without sulfur. The results showed that the sulfur-oxidizer A. thiooxidans in the mixed bacteria played a positive role on acid production, iron oxidative rate, uranium extraction and ore permeability in the ferrous substrate with sulfur, while it played an inhibiting role in the substrate without sulfur. It showed that the sulfur-oxidizer A. thiooxidans played bidirectional effects in the uranium bioleaching process in the presence of ferrous substrates with or without sulfur. (author)