OBSERVATIONS ON THE MICROFLORA IN AN INDUSTRIAL COPPER DUMP LEACHING OPERATION

摘要: The paper presents many years of observations on the microflora in a large dump Vlaikov vrah, Bulgaria, containing about twenty million tons low-grade copper sulfide and oxide ores. cover two periods: from 1968 to 1972, when was an area natural leaching processes, since industry began using it for recovering by means bacterial leaching. is quite varied gives specific part played processes some its main representatives. Cases microbial mutualism leaching, as well cases inhibition ferrobacilli other bacteria, moulds protozoa are described. very mixed population rather special wild strains have been isolated: thermophilic, facultative autotrophic strains, possessing systems substrate phosphorylation during oxidation sulfides sulfur, capable growth at low rH 2 . each separate component complex production process described: itself, circulating solutions, regeneration pond cementation unit. results attempts stimulate useful suitable change environmental factors adding surface active agents. In 1974 1975, laboratory selected mutant strain having high level oxidizing activity well-distinguishable marker, introduced into after being grown fermentors, built next dump. marker mutation, caused post-replication repair mechanism following UV-irradiation, consists possession direct metabolic pathway S 0 sulphate via polythionates. fate this influence shown. possibility usefulness introducing operations discussed.