A kinetic model for biological oxidation of ferrous iron by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans.

The kinetics of bacterial oxidation of ferrous iron in the presence of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans cells were studied using an initial-rate method. Measurements of the redox potential of the solution during the oxidation of ferrous iron were used to assess the initial rate of the reaction. Effects on the rate of reaction were determined for ferrous iron concentration in the range 0.25 to 30 kg m(-3), bacterial concentration in the range 3.25 x 10(7) to 4.47 x 10(8) cells mL(-1), and temperature in the range 20 to 35 degrees C. Using these experimental results and an approach based on Michaelis-Menten kinetics, a model for biological oxidation of ferrous iron was developed. The model, which incorporates terms for the effect of temperature and substrate and cell inhibition, was successfully used to simulate the full range of experimental data obtained. (c) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 53: 478-486, 1997.