Abstract:
Objective The dissolution kinetics of K, Fe, Si and Al elements in potassium-rich shale by two Aspergillus niger strains (MQ013 and MQ039) from different sources were studied. Combined with the growth and metabolism characteristics of the strains, the possible biochemical mechanism of selective leaching of main elements in minerals by the strains was explored.
Method The growth and metabolism characteristics of the strain and the effect of bioleaching experiment were investigated by shake flask culture in Czapek’s medium. The organic acids, proteins and polysaccharides in the culture medium were determined by HPLC, phenol sulfuric acid method and Coomassie brilliant blue G-250 kit. The contents of K, Fe, Si and Al ions were determined with ICP-AES. The surface morphology and mineral composition of minerals were analyzed and determined with SEM-EDS and XRD.
Result MQ013 has a strong metabolic ability to produce malic acid, tartaric acid, and succinic acid, while its ability to produce extracellular polysaccharides and proteins was weaker than that of MQ039. The maximum values of the above metabolites in its culture medium were 118.25, 78.88, 60.12, 5920, and 5.29 mg L−1 , respectively. MQ039 does not produce tartaric acid and succinic acid, but has a stronger ability to metabolize citric acid, oxalic acid, extracellular polysaccharides, and proteins compared to MQ013. The maximum values of the above metabolites in the culture medium can reach 91.20, 85.21, 9100, and 6.44 mg L−1, respectively. The leaching selectivity of MQ013 to Si in potassium-rich shale is significantly better than MQ039. The content of SiO2 in the leaching solution is 1.60 times of MQ039, while the leaching selectivity of MQ039 to Al, K and Fe is significantly stronger than MQ013. The concentrations of Al2O3, K2O and Fe2O3 in the leaching solution were 1.82, 1.17 and 1.22 times of MQ013, respectively.
Conclusion Different growth environments of the same strain can lead to certain differences in their growth and metabolic characteristics. The composition and secretion of metabolites of Aspergillus Niger are the key factors affecting the efficiency of selective leaching of K, Fe, Al and Si from potassium-rich shale. Protein and polysaccharides are beneficial to the selective leaching of K and Fe by Aspergillus niger, while malic acid and citric acid can promote the preferential release of Si and Al by Aspergillus niger respectively.