Abstract
The catalytic effect of activated charcoal on the microbial extraction of As and heavy metals from mine tailings collected from a floatation plant in the Philippines was investigated using a mixed culture of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and A. thiooxidans. The addition of activated charcoal enhanced the extraction of Cu, Zn and As significantly. The optimal concentration of activated charcoal for enhancing Cu, Zn and As extraction was found to be 4 g/L, 1 g/L, and 2 g/L, respectively. However, the presence of activated charcoal was observed to depress the dissolution of Mn and Fe. The highest extraction efficiencies for Mn, Cu, Zn, As, and Fe were 98%, 86%, 84%, 83%, and 46%, respectively. The results indicated that the addition of activated charcoal to conventional bioleaching technique may provide more effective and less costly method for extraction of heavy metals from mine tailings.
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