Immobilisation of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans cells on nickel alloy fibre for ferrous sulfate oxidation.

The immobilisation of the iron-oxidising bacteria Thiobacillus ferrooxidans on nickel alloy fibre as support is described. This matrix showed promise for application in iron oxidation under strongly acidic conditions. The influence on the colonisation process of T. ferrooxidans exerted by the initial pH of the medium and by temperature has also been studied. Results showed that immobilisation of T. ferrooxidans cells was affected by changes of temperature between 30 degrees C and 40 degrees C and in pH from 1.4 to 2.0.