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Optimum Factors Estimation during Uranium Bioleaching Process from Three Different Samples using Two Different Fungal Strains |
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PP: 119-134 |
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Author(s) |
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Walaa S. Mohamed,
Yehia M.M. Abbas,
Amal A.A. Ammar,
Sameh H. Negm,
Nilly A. Kawady,
Mohamed M. Rezk,
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Abstract |
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| Bioleaching (biomining) is a mining and bio-hydrometallurgical technique that uses naturally existing
microorganisms such as fungi to extract valuable metals from various ores. This process is beneficial for both humans and
the environment. Uranium was bioleached using isolated fungal strains from Um Bogma formation in Gabal um Hamd,
Southwestern Sinai, Egypt., Two fungal species were isolated from the different selected samples and, purified, then
identified. The bio-dissolution studies revealed that Aspergillus hollandicus and Penicillium citrinum had the highest
uranium leaching efficiency from the tested samples. The uranium grade and mineralogic elements of the ore material were
discovered to have a vital role in the bioleaching process. By monitoring the process, the examined samples demonstrated
that the optimal uranium leaching conditions are: 7 days incubation time, 3% pulp density at 30℃-35℃ incubation
temperature, and the appropriate pH value equals 3. Both fungal strains produced organic acids that were identified as
oxalic, maleic, quinic, lactic, citric, and butyric acids in the culture filtrate, which participated in the bioleaching process as
well as total protein excretion.
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