Computer-munching microbes: metal leaching from electronic scrap by bacteria and fungi

Microbiological processes were applied to mobilize metals from electronic waste materials. Bacteria ( Thiobacillus thiooxidans, T. ferrooxidans) and fungi ( Aspergillus niger, Penicillium simplicissimum) were grown in the presence of electronic scrap. The formation of inorganic and organic acids cau...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrometallurgy 2001-02, Vol.59 (2), p.319-326
Main Authors: Brandl, H, Bosshard, R, Wegmann, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aluminum
Applied sciences
Aspergillus niger
Bacteria
Biohydrometallurgy
Bioleaching
Copper
Electronic scrap
Exact sciences and technology
Fungi
Hydrometallurgy
Lead
Metals. Metallurgy
Microbiology
Nickel
Penicillium simplicissimum
Precipitation (chemical)
Production of metals
Production of non ferrous metals. Process materials
Thiobacillus ferrooxidans
Thiobacillus thiooxidans
Tin
Zinc
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Summary:Microbiological processes were applied to mobilize metals from electronic waste materials. Bacteria ( Thiobacillus thiooxidans, T. ferrooxidans) and fungi ( Aspergillus niger, Penicillium simplicissimum) were grown in the presence of electronic scrap. The formation of inorganic and organic acids caused the mobilization of metals. Initial experiments showed that microbial growth was inhibited when the concentration of scrap in the medium exceeded 10 g L −1. However, after a prolonged adaptation time, fungi as well as bacteria grew also at concentrations of 100 g L −1. Both fungal strains were able to mobilize Cu and Sn by 65%, and Al, Ni, Pb, and Zn by more than 95%. At scrap concentrations of 5–10 g L −1, Thiobacilli were able to leach more than 90% of the available Cu, Zn, Ni, and Al. Pb precipitated as PbSO 4 while Sn precipitated probably as SnO. For a more efficient metal mobilization, a two-step leaching process is proposed where biomass growth is separated from metal leaching.
ISSN:0304-386X
1879-1158
DOI:10.1016/S0304-386X(00)00188-2