The formation of magnetic iron sulphide by bacterial reduction of iron solutions

✍ Scribed by Freke, Anthony M. ;Tate, Donald

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 1961
• Weight: 559 KB
• Volume: 3
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0368-1467
• DOI: 10.1002/jbmte.390030105

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Laboratory scale experiments have been carried out with sulphate‐reducing bacteria growing under anaerobic conditions to investigate the removal of iron from iron‐containing solutions. The complete removal of iron, as the insoluble sulphide, has been achieved from both ferrous and ferrous–ferric sulphate solutions. It has been found that under certain conditions a magnetic iron sulphide is produced. This aggregates under the influence of a magnetic field and settles at a rate of some 30 in./min. The magnetic sulphide has only been obtained from intermittent continuous cultures. With the system employed, rates of removal of up to 150 mg of iron per litre of culture vessel per hour have been obtained.