Characterization and bioleaching of nickel laterite ore using Bacillus subtilis strain.

There are two principal types of nickel (Ni) deposits: sulfide and laterite ores. Interest in low-grade Ni-laterite ores has increased in recent years as high-grade Ni-sulfide deposits are being quickly depleted. However, processing of Ni laterites has proven technically difficult and costly, and the development of alternative low-cost biotechnologies for Ni solubilization has been encouraged. In this context, by the first time, a sample of Brazilian Ni-laterite ore was analyzed mineralogically and subjected to bioleaching tests using a heterotrophic Bacillus subtilis strain. SEM-analysis indicated that the primary Ni carrier mineral is goethite. Chemical analysis of different grain size fractions indicated a homogeneous distribution of Ni. XRF-analysis showed that the ore consists mainly in lizardite (32.6% MgO) and contains1.0% NiO (0.85% Ni). Bioleaching batch experiments demonstrated that about 8.1% Ni (0.7 mg Ni/g ore) were solubilized by the B. subtilis after 7 days. Application of microwave heating as a Ni-laterite pretreatment was also tested. This pretreatment increased the bioextraction of Ni from 8% to 26% (2.3 mg Ni g-1 ore).

Oral bioaccessibility of inorganic contaminants in waste dusts generated by laterite Ni ore smelting.

The laterite Ni ore smelting operations in Niquelândia and Barro Alto (Goiás State, Brazil) have produced large amounts of fine-grained smelting wastes, which have been stockpiled on dumps and in settling ponds. We investigated granulated slag dusts (n = 5) and fly ash samples (n = 4) with a special focus on their leaching behaviour in deionised water and on the in vitro bioaccessibility in a simulated gastric fluid, to assess the potential exposure risk for humans. Bulk chemical analyses indicated that both wastes contained significant amounts of contaminants: up to 2.6 wt% Ni, 7580 mg/kg Cr, and 508 mg/kg Co. In only one fly ash sample, after 24 h of leaching in deionised water, the concentrations of leached Ni exceeded the limit for hazardous waste according to EU legislation, whereas the other dusts were classified as inert wastes. Bioaccessible fractions (BAF) of the major contaminants (Ni, Co, and Cr) were quite low for the slag dusts and accounted for less than 2 % of total concentrations. In contrast, BAF values were significantly higher for fly ash materials, which reached 13 % for Ni and 19 % for Co. Daily intakes via oral exposure, calculated for an adult (70 kg, dust ingestion rate of 50 mg/day), exceeded neither the tolerable daily intake (TDI) nor the background exposure limits for all of the studied contaminants. Only if a higher ingestion rate is assumed (e.g. 100 mg dust per day for workers in the smelter), the TDI limit for Ni recently defined by European Food Safety Authority (196 µg/day) was exceeded (324 µg/day) for one fly ash sample. Our data indicate that there is only a limited risk to human health related to the ingestion of dust materials generated by laterite Ni ore smelting operations if appropriate safety measures are adopted at the waste disposal sites and within the smelter facility.

Use of iron and bio-oil wastes to produce highly dispersed Fe/C composites for the photo-Fenton reaction.

This work describes the synthesis, characterization, and application of an active heterogeneous photo-Fenton system obtained from two different wastes, i.e., laterite (an iron mining waste) and the acid aqueous fraction (AAF) from bio-oil production. AAF with high acidity (ca. 3 molH+ L-1) and organic concentration (25 wt.%) obtained from biomass flash pyrolysis was used for the efficient extraction of Fe3+ from laterite waste. After extraction, the mixture Fe3+/AAF was dried and treated at different temperatures, i.e., 500, 650, and 800 °C, to obtain Fe/C reactive composites. Mössbauer, XRD, TG, elemental analyses, and SEM/EDS showed the presence of highly disperse Fe oxide nanoparticles at 500 and 650 °C and Fe0 particles in the material obtained at 800 °C with carbon contents varying from 74 to 80 %. The three composites were tested as heterogeneous catalysts in the photo-Fenton reaction for the oxidation of the model dye contaminant methylene blue, showing high activities at neutral pH.

Influence of soil texture on nutrients and potentially hazardous elements in Eremanthus erythropappus.

Understanding the factors that control uptake rates and allocation of chemical elements among plant organs is a fundamental prerequisite to improve phytostabilization techniques of hazardous elements in contaminated areas. The present study shows evidence that different substrate textures (coarse and fine laterite) do not significantly change the partitioning of root and shoot dry biomass and with few exceptions, do not significantly affect the final average concentration of elements in Eremanthus erythropappus, but change the root:shoot allocation of both essential nutrients and elements potentially toxic to biota. Growth on coarse laterite resulted in significant higher K (30%), Mg (34%), P (25%), S (32%), Cu (58%), and Na (43%) concentrations in roots and lower Cd concentration (29%). In shoots, coarse laterite led to reduction in K, Fe, Al, and Cr and increase in Na and Sr concentrations. Changes in element allocation could be, in part, a result of differences in the water availability of substrates. Matric potential in coarse laterite was significantly lower in at least 47% of the days analyzed throughout the year. Changes in element phytoextraction or phytostabilization potential could influence the efficiency of rehabilitation projects in areas degraded by mining activities.

Expansão dos solos hidromórficos e mudanças na paisagem: um estudo de caso na região Sudeste da Amazônia Brasileira

In the Southwestern Brazilian Amazon, a detailed study on the pedological cover of a representative toposequence for the region, characterized by lowered plateaus with topographic depressions, was carried out. The results indicated that pedogenic processes can be considered to be responsible for topographic smoothing and changes of the natural landscape. The main factor involved in this transformation process represents the upwards expansion of hydromorphic soil conditions from the topographic depressions developed in lower parts of the plateaus. This process includes internal transformations and degradations of the soil matrix leading to changes in soil structure, chemical composition and, diminishment of the original soil volume.

Na região sudoeste da Amazônia brasileira, foi realizado um estudo detalhado da cobertura pedológica em uma toposseqüência representativa da paisagem regional, caracterizada por baixos platôs com depressões topográficas. Os resultados indicaram que os processos pedogenéticos podem ser considerados como responsáveis pelo rebaixamento topográfico e mudanças da paisagem natural. O principal fator envolvido neste processo de transformação é a expansão remontante da hidromorfia, a partir das depressões topográficas desenvolvidas nas superfícies dos platôs. Este processo envolve transformações e degradações internas na matriz do solo acarretando em modificações na estrutura, composição química e diminuição do volume do solo.

Expansão dos solos hidromórficos e mudanças na paisagem: um estudo de caso na região Sudeste da Amazônia Brasileira / Expansion of hydromorphic soils and landscape changes: a case study in the Southwestern Brazilian Amazon

Na região sudoeste da Amazônia brasileira, foi realizado um estudo detalhado da cobertura pedológica em uma toposseqüência representativa da paisagem regional, caracterizada por baixos platôs com depressões topográficas. Os resultados indicaram que os processos pedogenéticos podem ser considerados como responsáveis pelo rebaixamento topográfico e mudanças da paisagem natural. O principal fator envolvido neste processo de transformação é a expansão remontante da hidromorfia, a partir das depressões topográficas desenvolvidas nas superfícies dos platôs. Este processo envolve transformações e degradações internas na matriz do solo acarretando em modificações na estrutura, composição química e diminuição do volume do solo.

In the Southwestern Brazilian Amazon, a detailed study on the pedological cover of a representative toposequence for the region, characterized by lowered plateaus with topographic depressions, was carried out. The results indicated that pedogenic processes can be considered to be responsible for topographic smoothing and changes of the natural landscape. The main factor involved in this transformation process represents the upwards expansion of hydromorphic soil conditions from the topographic depressions developed in lower parts of the plateaus. This process includes internal transformations and degradations of the soil matrix leading to changes in soil structure, chemical composition and, diminishment of the original soil volume.

Cério (Ce) em ferricretes nodulares desenvolvidos em solos da formação adamantina

The observation of rare earth element (REE) accumulations, especially Ce, has led to an open discussion about the genesis of lateritic weathering systems. In the landscape of the northern State of São Paulo (Brazil), lateritic covers predominantly nodular exist in different topographic levels and, although not documented, constitute a feature that appears frequently on the slopes of Cretaceous sandstones of the Adamantina Formation (Ka). In order to obtain subsidies for the understanding of the genesis and the spatial distribution of these features, the objective of this research was to verify the presence and the form of occurrence of REE, in nodular ferricretes of an Eutric Plinthosol. Submicroscopic studies and microprobe analyses were performed on undeformed samples of Fe and Fe-Mn nodules. These were previously identified in morphological descriptions (macro and micro) of petroplinthic horizons located at the footslope of a toposequence. Cerium, iron and manganese were determined by X ray fluorescence, and iron and manganese were also determined by selective dissolution. Localized accumulations of Ce were found only into petroplinthic nodules with Mn coatings, probably deposited during the definitive lowering of the water table. Ce and Co accompanied the mobilization and segregation of the Mn oxides and hydroxides due of the ability of these Mn species in concentrating and controlling the distribution of certain metallic ions.

O estudo de concentrações anômalas de elementos traço em ferricretes, como cério (Ce) e outros elementos das terras raras, tem apoiado discussões a respeito da gênese dessas feições em diferentes ambientes do planeta. No município de Pindorama (SP), no sopé de uma vertente com domínio de Argissolos Vermelho-Amarelos abrúpticos derivados do arenito cretácico da Formação Adamantina, Grupo Bauru (Ka), ocorrem horizontes ferricretes, cujas características e gênese são escassamente conhecidas, embora sejam de ocorrência comum na região norte do Estado de São Paulo. Procurou-se verificar a presença de concentrações de elementos terras raras nesses solos e assim poder fornecer subsídios para o conhecimento da gênese desses ferricretes, estudando-se um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo Eutrófico abrúptico plíntico dessa vertente. Após descrição morfológica do perfil, determinou-se a granulometria, bem como as concentrações de Fe e Mn totais (fluorescência de raios X), extraídos por ataque sulfúrico, ditionito-citrato e por oxalato dos horizontes e dos nódulos encontrados. Em glébulas selecionadas, realizou-se estudos submicroscópicos e microanálises pontuais. Acumulações localizadas de Ce na forma de cerianita (CeO2) foram encontradas apenas nos nódulos petroplínticos que apresentam revestimentos de óxidos de Mn, situados na base do horizonte petroplíntico, e cuja gênese está associada ao rebaixamento definitivo do lençol freático. Cobalto (Co) também se concentra no interior dos nódulos ferro-manganíferos devido à ação co-precipitadora dos óxidos de manganês aí depositados.

Cério (Ce) em ferricretes nodulares desenvolvidos em solos da formação adamantina

The observation of rare earth element (REE) accumulations, especially Ce, has led to an open discussion about the genesis of lateritic weathering systems. In the landscape of the northern State of São Paulo (Brazil), lateritic covers predominantly nodular exist in different topographic levels and, although not documented, constitute a feature that appears frequently on the slopes of Cretaceous sandstones of the Adamantina Formation (Ka). In order to obtain subsidies for the understanding of the genesis and the spatial distribution of these features, the objective of this research was to verify the presence and the form of occurrence of REE, in nodular ferricretes of an Eutric Plinthosol. Submicroscopic studies and microprobe analyses were performed on undeformed samples of Fe and Fe-Mn nodules. These were previously identified in morphological descriptions (macro and micro) of petroplinthic horizons located at the footslope of a toposequence. Cerium, iron and manganese were determined by X ray fluorescence, and iron and manganese were also determined by selective dissolution. Localized accumulations of Ce were found only into petroplinthic nodules with Mn coatings, probably deposited during the definitive lowering of the water table. Ce and Co accompanied the mobilization and segregation of the Mn oxides and hydroxides due of the ability of these Mn species in concentrating and controlling the distribution of certain metallic ions.

O estudo de concentrações anômalas de elementos traço em ferricretes, como cério (Ce) e outros elementos das terras raras, tem apoiado discussões a respeito da gênese dessas feições em diferentes ambientes do planeta. No município de Pindorama (SP), no sopé de uma vertente com domínio de Argissolos Vermelho-Amarelos abrúpticos derivados do arenito cretácico da Formação Adamantina, Grupo Bauru (Ka), ocorrem horizontes ferricretes, cujas características e gênese são escassamente conhecidas, embora sejam de ocorrência comum na região norte do Estado de São Paulo. Procurou-se verificar a presença de concentrações de elementos terras raras nesses solos e assim poder fornecer subsídios para o conhecimento da gênese desses ferricretes, estudando-se um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo Eutrófico abrúptico plíntico dessa vertente. Após descrição morfológica do perfil, determinou-se a granulometria, bem como as concentrações de Fe e Mn totais (fluorescência de raios X), extraídos por ataque sulfúrico, ditionito-citrato e por oxalato dos horizontes e dos nódulos encontrados. Em glébulas selecionadas, realizou-se estudos submicroscópicos e microanálises pontuais. Acumulações localizadas de Ce na forma de cerianita (CeO2) foram encontradas apenas nos nódulos petroplínticos que apresentam revestimentos de óxidos de Mn, situados na base do horizonte petroplíntico, e cuja gênese está associada ao rebaixamento definitivo do lençol freático. Cobalto (Co) também se concentra no interior dos nódulos ferro-manganíferos devido à ação co-precipitadora dos óxidos de manganês aí depositados.