Acidophilic bacteria in oxidation of iron sulfides. Is iron toxicity an environmental problem?
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| Year of publication | 2007 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was used to study elemental sulfur oxidation. Together with metal sulfide biooxidation in abandoned mines and sulfide wastes, it results in environmental contamination by sulfuric acid and toxic metals. Only the toxic effect of iron was differentiated from the effects of sulfuric acid and ionic strength. A higher toxic effect seems to be due to iron precipitates which are formed in dependence on the pH and can interfere with other living processes in plants. This non-specific iron effect might be the primary toxicity factor in less acidic environments. |
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