Abstract
Phosphorus is an unwanted component of iron ore. Its removal from Nigeria’s Agbaja iron ore by solubilization with Eurotium herbariorum isolated from the ore samples has been achieved using the submerged culture technique. Result obtained shows 61.48% removal of P in 10 weeks through the biomass growth and activities of the filamentous fungus. The biomass dry weight of the fungus increased from an initial 1 g (dry weight of inoculums) to a maximum 3.021 g weight in 3 weeks only to drop to 0.486 g by the end of experiment. The ability of the fungus to metabolize the phosphorus in ore was noticed to increase with biomass weight but hindered over time. Extended duration of degradation after 7th week did not necessarily bring about more P removal. Phosphorus utilization by the fungus resulted in its growth and concomitant production of acidic metabolic products and adsorption of detectable concentrations of iron, copper, lead, zinc, cadmium and manganese from the ore samples. It is therefore suggestive that the fungus activity can enhance the purity of ores and if the metabolic wastes associated with the process are timely and well managed, it is possible degradation could be continuous in view of microbial exponential growth rate. Key words: Phosphorus, removal, iron ore, Eurotium herbariorum, broth, inoculation
Highlights
The high level of phosphorus in Nigeria’s Agbaja iron ore is not beneficial according to Amadi et al (1982) and Uwadiale and Nwoke (1983a)
The results show rich Fe in the ore and as well confirm the high-phosphorus and high-alumina status of the ore which had earlier been reported by Uwadiale (1989)
The Agbaja iron ore samples habour diverse species of fungi with variable capabilities to utilize the components of the ore for growth (Table 2)
Summary
The high level of phosphorus in Nigeria’s Agbaja iron ore is not beneficial according to Amadi et al (1982) and Uwadiale and Nwoke (1983a). Attention of researchers has been turned to finding an alternative route to solving the high-phosphorus status of Agbaja iron ore by attempting the bio-beneficiation approach (Anyakwo and Obot, 2008, 2010) because of the advantages of ecologically and environmentally friendlier components offered by this method. This research was conducted to investigate the possible elimination of phosphorus from Nigeria’s Agbaja iron ore by Eurotium herbariorum with emphasis on titrimetrical analysis of sub-merged-cultured ore samples. It involved system’s pH, trace metals accumulation and growth (biomass weight) monitoring
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