1. Weathering of phlogopite by Bacillus cereus and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.
- Author
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Styriaková I, Bhatti TM, Bigham JM, Styriak I, Vuorinen A, and Tuovinen OH
- Subjects
- Acidithiobacillus growth & development, Aluminum analysis, Bacillus cereus growth & development, Iron analysis, Iron Compounds metabolism, Magnesium analysis, Potassium analysis, Silicon analysis, Acidithiobacillus metabolism, Aluminum Silicates chemistry, Bacillus cereus metabolism, Soil Microbiology
- Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the weathering of finely ground phlogopite, a trioctahedral mica, by placing it in contact with heterotrophic (Bacillus cereus) and acidophilic (Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans) cultures. X-ray diffraction analyses of the phlogopite sample before and after 24 weeks of contact in B. cereus cultures revealed a decrease in the characteristic peak intensities of phlogopite, indicating destruction of individual structural planes of the mica. No new solid phase products or interlayer structures were detected in B. cereus cultures. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans cultures enhanced the chemical dissolution of the mineral and formed partially weathered interlayer structures, where interlayer K was expelled and coupled with the precipitation of K-jarosite [KFe3(SO4)2(OH)6].
- Published
- 2004
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