Thiosulphate Oxidation Research Articles

Seasonal variation in metabolic profiles and microbial communities in a subarctic ore processing plant.

The mining industry strives to reduce its water footprint by recycling water in ore processing. This leads to build-up of ions, flotation chemicals and microbial biomass, which may affect the process. The Boliden Kevitsa mine in Northern Finland is exposed to seasonal change and recycles up to 90% of the process water. We studied the variation in size, composition and putative functions of microbial communities in summer and winter in the ore processing plant. The raw water, Cu and Ni thickener overflow waters had statistically significantly higher bacterial numbers in winter compared to summer, and specific summer and winter communities were identified. Metagenomic analysis indicated that Cu and Hg resistance genes, sulphate/thiosulphate, molybdate, iron(III) and zinc ABC transporters, nitrate reduction, denitrification, thiosulphate oxidation and methylotrophy were more common in winter than in summer. Raw water drawn from the nearby river did not affect the microbial communities in the process samples, indicating that the microbial communities and metabolic capacities develop within the process over time in response to the conditions in the processing plant, water chemistry, used chemicals, ore properties and seasonal variation. We propose that the microbial community structures are unique to the Boliden Kevitsa mine and processing plant.

Quantitative proteomics reveals the Sox system's role in sulphur and arsenic metabolism of phototroph Halorhodospira halophila.

The metabolic process of purple sulphur bacteria's anoxygenic photosynthesis has been primarily studied in Allochromatium vinosum, a member of the Chromatiaceae family. However, the metabolic processes of purple sulphur bacteria from the Ectothiorhodospiraceae and Halorhodospiraceae families remain unexplored. We have analysed the proteome of Halorhodospira halophila, a member of the Halorhodospiraceae family, which was cultivated with various sulphur compounds. This analysis allowed us to reconstruct the first comprehensive sulphur-oxidative photosynthetic network for this family. Some members of the Ectothiorhodospiraceae family have been shown to use arsenite as a photosynthetic electron donor. Therefore, we analysed the proteome response of Halorhodospira halophila when grown under arsenite and sulphide conditions. Our analyses using ion chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry showed that thioarsenates are chemically formed under these conditions. However, they are more extensively generated and converted in the presence of bacteria, suggesting a biological process. Our quantitative proteomics revealed that the SoxAXYZB system, typically dedicated to thiosulphate oxidation, is overproduced under these growth conditions. Additionally, two electron carriers, cytochrome c551/c5 and HiPIP III, are also overproduced. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy suggested that these transporters participate in the reduction of the photosynthetic Reaction Centre. These results support the idea of a chemically and biologically formed thioarsenate being oxidized by the Sox system, with cytochrome c551/c5 and HiPIP III directing electrons towards the Reaction Centre.

Microbaculum marinisediminis sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment.

A novel Gram-stain-negative and facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated A6E488T, was isolated from intertidal sediment collected from Xiaoshi Island, Weihai, PR China (122° 1' E 37° 31' N). Cells of strain A6E488T were rod-shaped with widths of 0.3-0.4 µm and lengths of 1.1-1.8 µm. The optimal growth conditions were determined to be in 1 % (w/v) NaCl, at 37 °C, and at pH 7.0. The predominant fatty acids (≥10 %) were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (59.7 %) and summed feature 8 (13.8 %, C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c). The sole isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. Oxidase activity was negative but catalase activity was positive. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified aminolipid, one unidentified glycolipid, and one unidentified lipid. Based on phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain A6E488T showed the highest sequence similarity to Microbaculum marinum MCCC 1K03192T (97.6 %). The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain A6E488T and M. marinum MCCC 1K03192T did not exceed 78 and 22 %, respectively. These values are below the recommended thresholds of 95 % (ANI) and 70 % (dDDH) for prokaryotic species delineation. On the basis of gene annotation, it was observed that strain A6E488T possesses the capability for thiosulphate oxidation, suggesting that this strain might be important in the sulphur cycle. Based on the results of phenotypic, genotypic, and chemical characterization, strain A6E488T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Microbaculum, for which the name Microbaculum marinisediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A6E488T (=KCTC 92197T=MCCC 1H00516T).

Oxidation of Thiosulphate using TCNQFn (n=0, 2, 4) Derivatives with a Tuneable Driving Force: Electrochemical and Spectrophotometric Detection of a Protonated Intermediate

AbstractFluorine substituent effects associated with the and (n=0, 2, 4, TCNQ=7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane) half‐cell reactions provide access to a wide driving force range (∼850 mV) which is available to tune redox reactions; in this case the oxidation of to by or . The ‐ / redox chemistry was studied by steady‐state and transient cyclic voltammetry and UV‐visible spectrophotometry in acetonitrile containing 5 % water and as the supporting electrolyte. In this mixed solvent system, all the (n=0, 2, 4)‐ / reactions were thermodynamically favourable, as were those of (n=2, 4). However, does not oxidize . These findings lead to a prediction that the reversible potential for the / half‐cell reaction lies between −0.083 and −0.278 V vs SHE. Interestingly, in the investigation of the reaction of and in a 1 : 2 concentration ratio, a protonated intermediate was detected. In contrast, when the oxidant was (2,5‐difluoro‐7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane) or (2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquino‐dimethane), no evidence for an analogous protonated intermediate was found. However, if equimolar ratios of (n=0, 2, 4) and were used, the intermediate was again detected. The structure of the intermediate, described as for convenience, is unknown, but this derivative of the redox chemistry is kinetically very stable and only very slowly deprotonated to or reduced by excess to give oxidized and deprotonated . Mechanisms are provided to explain the formation of the protonated intermediate.

Thiosulfatihalobacter marinus gen. nov. sp. nov., a novel member of the family Roseobacteraceae, isolated from the West Pacific Ocean.

Two strains (GL-11-2T and ZH2-Y79) were isolated from the seawater collected from the West Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, respectively. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped. Cells grew in the medium containing 0.5-7.5 % NaCl (w/v, optimum, 1.0-3.0 %), at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 6.5-7.0) and at 4-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C). H2S production occurred in marine broth supplemented with sodium thiosulphate. The almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequences of the two isolates were identical, and exhibited the highest similarity to Pseudoruegeria aquimaris JCM 13603T (97.5 %), followed by Ruegeria conchae TW15T (97.2%), Shimia aestuarii DSM 15283T (97.1 %) and Ruegeria lacuscaerulensis ITI-1157T (97.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates were affiliated with the family Roseobacteraceae and represented an independent lineage. The sole isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 10. The principal fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c) and cyclo-C19 : 0 ω8c. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and diphosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content was 62.3 mol%. The orthologous average nucleotide identity, in silico DNA-DNA hybridization and average amino acid identity values among the genomes of strain GL-11-2T and the reference strains were 73.2-79.0, 20.3-22.5 and 66.0-80.8 %, respectively. Strains GL-11-2ᵀ and ZH2-Y79 possessed complete metabolic pathways for thiosulphate oxidation, dissimilatory nitrate reduction and denitrification. Phylogenetic distinctiveness, chemotaxonomic differences and phenotypic properties revealed that the isolates represent a novel genus and species of the family Roseobacteraceae, belonging to the class Alphaproteobacteria, for which the name Thiosulfatihalobacter marinus gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain, GL-11-2T=KCTC 82723T=MCCC M20691T) is proposed.

Mixtures of natural antimicrobials can reduce Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella enterica and Clostridium perfringens infections and cellular inflammatory response in MDCK cells

BackgroundThe classification of natural antimicrobials as potential antibiotic replacements is still hampered by the absence of clear biological mechanisms behind their mode of action. This study investigated the mechanisms underlying the anti-bacterial effect of a mixture of natural antimicrobials (maltodextrin, citric acid, sodium citrate, malic acid, citrus extract and olive extract) against Campylobacter jejuni RC039, Salmonella enterica SE 10/72 and Clostridium perfringens ATCC® 13124 invasion of Madin–Darby Canine Kidney cells (MDCK).ResultsMinimum sub-inhibitory concentrations were determined for Campylobacter jejuni (0.25%), Salmonella enterica (0.50%) and Clostridium perfringens (0.50%) required for the in vitro infection assays with MDCK cells. The antimicrobial mixture significantly reduced the virulence of all three pathogens towards MDCK cells and restored the integrity of cellular tight junctions through increased transepithelial resistance (TEER) and higher expression levels of ZO-1 (zonula occludens 1) and occludin. This study also identified the ERK (external regulated kinase) signalling pathway as a key mechanism in blocking the pro-inflammatory cytokine production (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) in infected cells. The reduction in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production and release by infected MDCK cells, in the presence of the antimicrobial mixture, was also associated with less tetrathionate formed by oxidation of thiosulphate (p < 0.0001).ConclusionThe present study describes for the first time that mixtures of natural antimicrobials can prevent the formation of substrates used by bacterial pathogens to grow and survive in anaerobic environments (e.g. tetrathionate). Moreover, we provide further insights into pathogen invasion mechanisms through restoration of cellular structures and describe their ability to block the ERK–MAPK kinase pathway responsible for inflammatory cytokine release

A combined approach of 16S rRNA and a functional marker gene, soxB to reveal the diversity of sulphur-oxidising bacteria in thermal springs.

With the advent of new molecular tools, new taxa of sulphur-oxidising bacteria (SOB) in diverse environments are being discovered. However, there is a significant gap of knowledge about the ecology and diversity of SOB in thermal springs. Here, the species diversity and phylogenetic affiliations of SOB were investigated using 16S rRNA and functional gene marker, soxB in thermal springs of Thane district of Maharashtra, India. Most SOB detected by 16S rDNA sequences belong to different operational taxonomic units (OTU's): Firmicutes, α-, β-, γ-Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria with the dominance of first class. However, the soxB gene clone library sequences had shown affiliation with the β-, γ- and α-Proteobacteria. β-Proteobacteria-related sequences were dominant, with 53.3% clones belonging to genus Hydrogenophaga. The thiosulphate oxidation assay carried out for different isolates having distinct identity showed the mean sulphate-sulphur production from 117.86 ± 0.50 to 218.82 ± 2.56mg SO4-Sl-1 after 9days of incubation. Also, sulphur oxidation by the genus Nitratireductor, Caldimonas, Geobacillus, Paenibacillus, Brevibacillus, Tristrella and Chelatococcus has been reported for the first time that reveals ecological widening over which thiotrophs are distributed.

Diversity of culturable Sulphur-oxidising bacteria in the oxygen minimum zones of the northern Indian Ocean

Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) are unique, widely spread and well-studied features of the global ocean, varying in seasonality and intensity. The Northern Indian Ocean contains OMZs in the Arabian Sea (AS-OMZ) and the Bay of Bengal (BB-OMZ) having unique biogeochemical features. OMZ water column harbours distinct microbial communities that play vital roles in ocean biogeochemical cycles. Sulphur cycling processes facilitated by OMZ microbial communities are poorly understood with regards to different microbial groups involved, spatially and temporally. Here we sampled different stations in the AS-OMZ and BB-OMZ across dissolved oxygen gradients, to obtain culturable sulphur-oxidising bacterial (SOB) diversity using modified agar-based media. Phylogenetic analysis of the isolates placed the majority of them in Phylum Proteobacteria, followed by Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. Analyses of thiosulphate oxidation potential of isolates revealed that an α-proteobacteria, Citreicella thiooxidans and a β-proteobacterial species, Achromobacter xylosoxydans oxidised thiosulphate to sulphate within 48 h, suggesting that this potential is present within a narrow group of bacteria. This study sheds light on the functioning of the microbial community in the sulphur cycle of the Indian Ocean OMZs.

Isolation and Characterisation of Sulphur Oxidizing Bacteria Isolated from Hot Spring in Malaysia for Biological Deodorisation of Hydrogen Sulphide in Chicken Manure

In this study, the isolation of sulphur oxidising bacteria (SOB) from hot spring in Malaysia was carried out in an enrichment culture using sodium thiosulphate as a sole energy and CO2 as a sole carbon source. A total number of 80 SOB isolates were obtained from the agar plate and considered as positive SOB due to their abilities using thiosulphate for growth. All the isolates were initially screened for their fast growths in liquid medium and 13 isolates were selected for another screening process. Three SOB isolates namely isolate AH18, AH25, and AH28 were selected based on their abilities to grow faster, produce the highest sulphate ion and reducing the pH in the growth medium. The cells were Gram-negative and short rod-shaped. The effects of various variables including temperature (25-45 °C), pH (4-9), sodium thiosulphate concentrations (4-100 mM) and metabolic characteristic were evaluated on bacterial growth and their sulphur oxidation activities. The optimum pH of all the potential isolates occurred at pH 8.0. Meanwhile, the optimum temperature for isolate AH18, AH25 and AH28 occurred at 45 °C, 30 °C, and 30-45 °C, respectively. The three isolates were classified as facultative chemolithotroph with the capability of growth in thiosulphate concentration as high as 100 mM. Therefore, given the ability in the oxidation of thiosulphate, temperature and pH adaptabilities, with the metabolic flexibilities of isolates AH18, AH25, and AH28 could be a good H2S biological deodorizing candidate.

Structural Stability, Transitions, and Interactions within SoxYZCD-Thiosulphate from Sulfurimonas denitrificans: An In Silico Molecular Outlook for Maintaining Environmental Sulphur Cycle.

Thiosulphate oxidation (an essential mechanism) serves to maintain the global sulphur cycle. Earlier experimental and computational studies dealt with environmental thiosulphate oxidation but none dealt with thiosulphate oxidation from deep ocean belts. Wet-laboratory experimental research shows that epsilon-proteobacteria Sulfurimonas denitrificans possess sox (sulphur-oxidizing) operon and perform thiosulphate oxidation efficiently underneath the oceans. From this specific sox operon, SoxCD complex recycles the thiosulphate-bound SoxY from SoxYZ complex to balance the environmental sulphur cycle. So, four chief proteins were variedly modeled and relevant simulated interactive structures were obtained. The final simulated tetraprotein complex (SoxYZCD) from docked SoxYZ and SoxCD complexes was disclosed to be a highly interactive one with predominant ionic residues. Free energy of folding, solvent accessibility, and conformational shifts (coil-like conformation to helices and sheets) were observed in SoxYZ complex after interacting with SoxCD. The stability of the complex (SoxYZCD) after simulation was also observed through the electrostatic surface potential values. These evaluations were rationalized via biostatistics. This aids SoxCD for recycling SoxY along with thiosulphate, which remains interconnected by four H-bonds with SoxY. Therefore, this novel exploration is endowed with the detailed molecular viewpoint for maintaining the sulphur cycle (globally) including the ocean belts.

Segregation of nod-containing and nod-deficient bradyrhizobia as endosymbionts of Arachis hypogaea and as endophytes of Oryza sativa in intercropped fields of Bengal Basin, India.

Bradyrhizobial invasion in dalbergoid legumes like Arachis hypogaea and endophytic bacterial invasions in non-legumes like Oryza sativa occur through epidermal cracks. Here, we show that there is no overlap between the bradyrhizobial consortia that endosymbiotically and endophytically colonise these plants. To minimise contrast due to phylogeographic isolation, strains were collected from Arachis/Oryza intercropped fields and a total of 17 bradyrhizobia from Arachis (WBAH) and 13 from Oryza (WBOS) were investigated. 16SrRNA and concatenated dnaK-glnII-recA phylogeny clustered the nodABC-positive WBAH and nodABC-deficient WBOS strains in two distinct clades. The in-field segregation is reproducible under controlled conditions which limits the factors that influence their competitive exclusion. While WBAH renodulated Arachis successfully, WBOS nodulated in an inefficient manner. Thus, Arachis, like other Aeschynomene legumes support nod-independent symbiosis that was ineffectual in natural fields. In Oryza, WBOS recolonised endophytically and promoted its growth. WBAH however caused severe chlorosis that was completely overcome when coinfected with WBOS. This explains the exclusive recovery of WBOS in Oryza in natural fields and suggests Nod-factors to have a role in counterselection of WBAH. Finally, canonical soxY1 and thiosulphate oxidation could only be detected in WBOS indicating loss of metabolic traits in WBAH with adaptation of symbiotic lifestyle.

Insights from the docked DoxDA Model with Thiosulphate.

Redox reaction of inorganic sulphur compound is very essential to maintain a global sulphur cycle. Certain experimental evidences suggest that gamma-proteobacterial Acidothiobacillus thiooxidans; lacking the sulphur-oxidizing (sox) operon, has an alternative thiosulphate oxidation pathway. Dox operon having essentially participating proteins; DoxD and DoxA serves as the central players for this alternative pathway of thiosulphate oxidation. So, to identify their role in thiosulphate oxidation process, functional 3D model of DoxD and DoxA protein’s independently functioning conserved domains were built after the contentment of necessary stereochemical features. After formation of the best suited DoxDA protein-complex, DoxDA was MD simulated in several steps and finally through MD simulation run utilizing GROMACS. Even after running beyond 20ns, 18ns simulated protein complex was the most stable and was selected for further study. Residual binding mode conferred mainly two ionic and twelve Hbonded interactions in DoxDA. Astonishingly, Asp167 and Arg18 from DoxA and DoxD, respectively was observed to hold a pivotal role in 6 H-bonds accompanied by a separate ionic interaction. Interestingly, four residues from DoxD; Trp32, Met33, Lys36 and Asn140 strengthened the DoxD–thiosulphate interaction. Interaction energy (deltaG = (-) 222.016kcal/mol) and net solvent accessibility calculations depicts spontaneous and fervent residual participation in DoxDA, which is essential for thiosulphate interaction and further sulphur oxidation. Conformational flexibility in DoxD with increased coil percentage benefits DoxD and makes its susceptible for the interaction with thiosulphate even after spontaneous interaction with DoxA. Therefore, this study serves as an insight at computational basis for sulphur oxidation even in organisms lacking sox operon.

Surface decoration of Au–Pt bimetallic inorganic–organic hybrid nanocomposite modified carbon ceramic electrode with vanadium N-salicylidene-L-histidine–al-MCM-41 for electrooxidation of thiosulphate

This work describes the electrochemical behavior of vanadium N-salicylidene-L-histidine-Al-mobil composition of matter no. 41 (MCM-41) (V(His)/Al-MCM-41) film immobilized on the surface of bimetallic Au–Pt inorganic–organic hybrid nanocomposite carbon ceramic electrode and its electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of thiosulphate. The surface structure and composition of the sensor was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrocatalytic oxidation of thiosulphate on the surface of modified electrode was investigated with cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and hydrodynamic amperometric techniques and the results showed that the vanadium film displays excellent electrochemical catalytic activities towards thiosulphate oxidation. The modified electrode indicated reproducible behavior and high level of stability during the electrochemical experiments.

Tetrathionate stimulated growth of Campylobacter jejuni identifies a new type of bi‐functional tetrathionate reductase (TsdA) that is widely distributed in bacteria

Tetrathionate (S4 O6 (2-) ) is used by some bacteria as an electron acceptor and can be produced in the vertebrate intestinal mucosa from the oxidation of thiosulphate (S2 O3 (2-) ) by reactive oxygen species during inflammation. Surprisingly, growth of the microaerophilic mucosal pathogen Campylobacter jejuni under oxygen-limited conditions was stimulated by tetrathionate, although it does not possess any known type of tetrathionate reductase. Here, we identify a dihaem cytochrome c (C8j_0815; TsdA) as the enzyme responsible. Kinetic studies with purified recombinant C. jejuni TsdA showed it to be a bifunctional tetrathionate reductase/thiosulphate dehydrogenase with a high affinity for tetrathionate. A tsdA null mutant still slowly reduced, but could not grow on, tetrathionate under oxygen limitation, lacked thiosulphate-dependent respiration and failed to convert thiosulphate to tetrathionate microaerobically. A TsdA paralogue (C8j_0040), lacking the unusual His-Cys haem ligation of TsdA, had low thiosulphate dehydrogenase and tetrathionate reductase activities. Our data highlight a hitherto unrecognized capacity of C. jejuni to use tetrathionate and thiosulphate in its energy metabolism, which may promote growth in the host. Moreover, as TsdA represents a new class of tetrathionate reductase that is widely distributed among bacteria, we predict that energy conserving tetrathionate respiration is far more common than currently appreciated.

EFFECT OF SULFUR AND ORGANIC MATTER LEVELS ON ABUNDANCE AND ACTIVITY OF PHOTOAUTOTROPIC SULFUR AND THIOSULFATE BACTERIA IN SOIL UNDER DIFFERENT INCUBATION TIME

The study was conducted to specify the effect of three levels 0, 1, 2 S/Kg soil (S0, S1, S2)respectively of agricultural sulfur and two types of organic substance (Manures) without adding CO and the dry powder of alfalfa C1 and manures C2, added within the average of 6 grams C/Kg soil on the presence and activity of minute photo autotrophic sulfur oxidation by an experience conducted under laboratory conditions by utilizing silty soil achived under factorial experiments of CRD design. All samples were incubated at 280 C for different periods 15, 30, 45 days (T1, T2, T3) respectively. Activity and diversity of bacteria related to types Thiobacillus of T. thioparus was estimated through measuring the quantity of thiosulphate oxidation and the differences of values related pH at the media specified for this bacteria. The results showed that increasing the addition of agricultural sulfur has a great effect (P<0.05) on increasing the density and activity of photo-autotrophic sulfur oxidizing bacteria its number is 0.98*102 cfu/g and 1.31*102 cfu/g when adding alfaalfa and cow manures respectively compared with 1.96*102 cfu/g on the control treatment. Differences in incubation periods showed that 30 days is the highest level of density 0.73*102 cfu/g. Interferences among levels of sulfur, organic substance and incubation period showed that the highest level of (P<0.05) is 3.071*102 cfu/g with treatment S1-CO T3. It was obvious that the soil utilized in the study was containing oxidizing thiosulphate T. thioparus photo-autotrophic bacteria in wich its activity increased with the treatment S1-CO T3. The amount of oxidation of thiosulphate was 377 mg/100 ml, and the Ph at the media was 5.71. the soil utilized was void of sulfur oxidizing bacteria.

Recovery of silver from X-ray film processing effluents by hydrogen peroxide treatment

In this study, recovery of silver from X-ray film processing effluents by precipitation was studied. Hydrogen peroxide was used as the precipitating agent. A full factorial design (42) approach was adopted for the study. The results have shown that precipitation process is highly exothermic in nature with the evolution of copious amount of heat apparently owing to the concomitant oxidation of thiosulphate. The precipitation of silver by hydrogen peroxide is a fast reaction, which is almost complete within minutes. It is also an acid consuming reaction with the tendency of pH to increase towards neutral/alkaline conditions. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide was proved to be statistically the most significant factor affecting the precipitation process. High silver recoveries (≥95%) from the waste solution (1.1g/L Ag, 113g/L S2O32−) were obtained only at high levels of H2O2 (≥37.6g/L). Over the reaction period, a substantial increase in the concentration of sulphate was noted indicating the consumption of H2O2 mainly by the oxidation of thiosulphate. Increasing pH was found to have a beneficial effect on the recovery of silver noticeably at low H2O2 concentrations. The addition of ethylene glycol (0.5–10mL) enhanced the recovery of Ag (by 1.3–18.7%) presumably due to its stabilising effect on H2O2. SEM–EDS and XRD analyses of the precipitates have revealed that silver is present mainly as fine silver sulphide. These findings demonstrate that the waste photoprocessing solutions can be suitably treated by hydrogen peroxide to recover silver and remove thiosulphate.

Effects of sodium thiosulphate on chalcopyrite and tennantite: An insight for alternative separation technique

In this study, the effects of sodium thiosulphate on chalcopyrite and tennantite at various pH values were investigated. Contact angle, flotation (Hallimond tube), zeta potential and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to observe these effects and to investigate the mechanisms involved. The addition of sodium thiosulphate depressed both chalcopyrite and tennantite at all pH values. Further addition of diethyl dithiophosphate significantly increased the flotability of chalcopyrite at all pH values as well as tennanite in acidic conditions, but not tennantite in alkaline conditions. In light of the zeta potential measurements and due to the stability of thiosulphate over the pH range, the coverage of sulphate resulting from the oxidation of thiosulphate was responsible for the depression of both chalcopyrite and tennantite in acidic conditions. Adsorption of diethyl dithiophosphate species on the mineral surface resulted in flotability of tennantite which was almost as high as that of chalcopyrite. In alkaline conditions, coverage of the copper thiosulphate complex was responsible for the depression. The copper thiosulphate complex inhibited adsorption of diethyl dithiophosphate species on the mineral surface. Higher coverage of the copper thiosulphate complex on tennantite caused an insignificant increase in its flotability in comparison to that of chalcopyrite which allowed the separation of tennantite from chalcopyrite. The XPS spectra supported the proposed mechanism of thiosulphate depression on these minerals.

Compartmental Modeling of a Structured Heat Exchanger Reactor: Conversion and Temperature Profiles Predictions

Since the last ten years numerous studies have been carried out to develop micro-reactors or micro-structured reactors in order to improve scale of production, economics, safety and environmental impact of chemical production. Consequently Alfa Laval Vicarb has developed a new structured heat exchanger reactor. The design of the reactor is based on high performances heat plate exchanger in which small inserts allow a good mixing of the reactants and to improve the heat transfer phenomena or to increase the heat transfer coefficient. This new technology of heat plate exchange reactors has a modular structure where the exchange zones have two possible configurations: co- and counter counter-current. The structure of the reactor is also flexible, that makes possible to have multiple reactants injections and different local temperature control points. In order to have a rapid prediction of conversion and temperature profiles, a mathematical model conserving the same notion of the structure of the reactor has been developed. This mathematical model is a simple compartmental model which presents advantages in terms of flexibility, possible online simulations and rapid prediction simulations. The structure of the model has been determined with the help of tracer experiment and computational fluid dynamics simulations. Heat and mass transfer equations are written considering each cell and using experimental heat transfer data then chemical kinetics from literature are introduced to the model. A sub-compartmental model has been developed in order to predict the micro-mixing phenomena. Four reactions for which the kinetic laws of reactions are well known have been selected to test the model: alkaline hydrolysis of ethyl acetate, alkaline hydrolysis of ethylene glycol diacetate, oxidation of sodium thiosulphate by hydrogen peroxide and Bourne reactions. The results of comparison between simulations and experimental data in terms of yield, selectivity, temperature profiles and micro-mixing characteristics are in reasonable agreement.

Thiosulphate oxidation in the phototrophic sulphur bacterium Allochromatium vinosum

Two different pathways for thiosulphate oxidation are present in the purple sulphur bacterium Allochromatium vinosum: oxidation to tetrathionate and complete oxidation to sulphate with obligatory formation of sulphur globules as intermediates. The tetrathionate:sulphate ratio is strongly pH-dependent with tetrathionate formation being preferred under acidic conditions. Thiosulphate dehydrogenase, a constitutively expressed monomeric 30 kDa c-type cytochrome with a pH optimum at pH 4.2 catalyses tetrathionate formation. A periplasmic thiosulphate-oxidizing multienzyme complex (Sox) has been described to be responsible for formation of sulphate from thiosulphate in chemotrophic and phototrophic sulphur oxidizers that do not form sulphur deposits. In the sulphur-storing A. vinosum we identified five sox genes in two independent loci (soxBXA and soxYZ). For SoxA a thiosulphate-dependent induction of expression, above a low constitutive level, was observed. Three sox-encoded proteins were purified: the heterodimeric c-type cytochrome SoxXA, the monomeric SoxB and the heterodimeric SoxYZ. Gene inactivation and complementation experiments proved these proteins to be indispensable for thiosulphate oxidation to sulphate. The intermediary formation of sulphur globules in A. vinosum appears to be related to the lack of soxCD genes, the products of which are proposed to oxidize SoxY-bound sulphane sulphur. In their absence the latter is instead transferred to growing sulphur globules.

Isolation and characterization of sulphur-oxidizing Thiomonas sp. and its potential application in biological deodorization

To isolate and characterize a sulphur-oxidizing bacterial strain from activated sludge and to evaluate its potential application in biological deodorization. A dominant sulphur-oxidizing bacterial strain, designated as strain SS, was isolated from an enrichment culture using thiosulphate as a sole energy source and CO2 as a sole carbon source. The cells of this organism were aerobic, rod-shaped, Gram-negative and motile. Strain SS could grow autotrophically, heterotrophically as well as mixotrophically. Autotrophic growth was observed at pH values ranging from 2.3 to 9.0. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that strain SS belonged to Group 1 of the genus Thiomonas, closely related to Thiomonas perometabolis and Thiomonas intermedia. The thiosulphate oxidation rates of strain SS at different pH values were evaluated in terms of oxygen uptake using a Micro-Oxymax respirometer. The results showed that the maximum oxidation rate of 5.65 mg l(-1) h(-1) occurred at 56 h of growth and pH 6.0. Continuous H2S removal study demonstrated that strain SS could remove more than 99% of H2S when the inlet concentration was below 58.6 ppm. Further increase of the inlet concentration to 118 ppm gave rise to a decline in the removal efficiency to ca 90%. The strong acidification of the culture medium during the later period could result in the deterioration of the growth activity and the metabolism activity of strain SS. In practical application, the problems caused by the end-product inhibition and the acidification can be alleviated by periodical replacement of culture medium with fresh medium. Given the physiological flexibility and the ability to remove H2S rapidly and efficiently, strain SS could be a good 'deodorizing' candidate. This is the first time that Thiomonas species has been reported for biological deodorization application.