Abstract: Ferrousion, elemental sulfur and their mixtures were investigated as energy substrates affecting the metabolism ofT. ferrooxidans N1. Also the roles of Fe²⁺ and of Fe³⁺ reaction with water in the leaching of sulfide ores were investigated. Based on scanning electron microscopy and theoretical analysis,a new leaching mechanism different from the previously postulated`direct oxidation mechanism’and `indirect oxidation mechanism’ for bacterial leaching was proposed.Sulfur metabolism of T. ferrooxidans N1 was assumed to greatly influence bacterial leaching of sulfide minerals. Experimental results showed that sulfur metabolism of T. ferrooxidans N1 produced H⁺,and developed the necessary acidic condition for the oxidative metabolism of Fe²⁺ in the liquid phase.Reactions among intermediates in the energy metabolism of T. ferrooxidans N1 promoted growth and facilitated sulfide mineral leaching and also altered hydration of ferric iron ions. Therefore the enzymatic intermediates in the metabolism of T. ferrooxidans N1 played a central role in the bacterial leaching process.

Key words:

能量代谢, 中间体反应, 细菌浸铜, 硫化矿

摘要： 对照扫描电镜照片考察了底物对氧化亚铁硫杆菌T.ferrooxidans N1 能量代谢和菌体生长的影响，分析了硫化矿的生物浸出过程中T.ferrooxidans的能量代谢产物之间的反应作用.实验结果表明：T.ferrooxidans的硫代谢产H⁺为溶液中Fe²⁺氧化代谢提供了必需的酸性条件；同时破坏了硫化矿晶格向溶液里释放Fe²⁺和Cu²⁺，使生物浸铜得到产品成为可能；菌体能量代谢中间产物之间氧化还原反应加快了T.ferrooxidans代谢速率，减缓了Fe³⁺的水解反应，使硫化矿浸出过程能持续进行；T.ferrooxidans代谢产物之间的氧化还原反应是硫化矿细菌浸出过程的关键.

关键词:

能量代谢, 中间体反应, 细菌浸铜, 硫化矿