Bio-leaching Valuable Metals from Multimetallic Nodules in the Deep Sea Bed

The feasibility of bio-leaching valuable metals from mutimetallic nodules in the deep sea bed by using thiobacillus ferrooxidans(T.f.) bacteria was tested. The conditions of bio-leaching valuable metals Co and Ni from multimetallic nodules,for example:the mass ratio of culture medium and nodules, leaching pH Value, inoculation value and leaching temperature have been studied. In the process, the T.f. was tamed. These tests proved it was feasible that:using leathen culture, adding pyrite as the nourishment substance and reductant, under general temperature, acid condition, the nodules were not dried and ground, while the bio-leaching would be carried out effectively, leaching time was nine days, leaching rate was as follows:copper 45.21%, cobalt 98.22%, nickel 95.12%, manganese 97.54%, iron 12.89% (in the leaching solution).