Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Scalable Syntheses of Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide using Cascade Design Oxidation and Highly Basic Reduction Reactions
Published on: July 3, 2025
Intensified bioleaching of chalcopyrite by communities with enriched ferrous or sulfur oxidizers
Liyuan Ma1, Xingjie Wang2, Xueduan Liu3
1School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 430074, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, 510006, China.
Abstract:
The chalcopyrite bioleaching by enriched ferrous or sulfur oxidizers was investigated. The bioleaching was also intensified three times by the enriched communities. The results indicated that copper recoveries extracted by the enriched ferrous and sulfur oxidizers (Fe-O and S-O) were 38.87% and 43.13%, compared with that by the original community (35.35%). The positive effects of re-introducing S-enriched community to Fe-O and S-O groups were observed with copper extraction rates up to 41.67% and 46.45%. CCA indicated that the community dynamics intensified by S-enriched community was closer to that of the no re-inoculated one, but the Fe-enriched community drove a great fluctuation. A mechanism model for S-enriched community intensifying chalcopyrite bioleaching was proposed. More sulfur oxidizers in community slowed down jarosite formation and maintained lower ORP, which was propitious to chalcopyrite dissolution. Meanwhile, they accelerated S0 decomposition and decreased pH, which promoted acid leaching of chalcopyrite at a low cost.
Related Concept Videos
The Sulfur Cycle
Oxidation Numbers
What are Populations and Communities?
Pyruvate Oxidation
First, the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase removes the carboxyl group from pyruvate and releases it as carbon dioxide. The stripped molecule is then oxidized and releases electrons, which are then picked up by NAD+...
Sulfur Assimilation
Chirality at Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur
A consequence of chirality is the need for enantiomeric resolution. While this is theoretically possible for all...

