Flotation of Streptomyces pilosus after lead accumulation

The flotation of Streptomyces pilosus was studied in the absence and presence of adsorbed Pb(II) ions on the cell walls and with and without using sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) as collector. Adsorption of SDS onto the organism in the absence and presence of Pb(II) ions was also investigated. It was found that in the absence of adsorbed Pb(II), very little flotation took place with or without the presence of SDS although SDS adsorbed to some extent on the organism. The presence of Pb(II) on the bacterium's cell walls significantly increased flotation even in the absence of the collector. Addition of SDS, however, further increased both flotation rate and recovery.