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An Electrochemical Method of Measuring the Oxidation Rate of Ferrous to Ferric Iron with Oxygen in the Presence of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans
Biotechnology and Bioengineering (1989)
  • David J. Oliver, University of Idaho
  • B. Pesic, University of Idaho
  • P. Wichlacz
Abstract
The oxidation of Fe2+ with oxygen in sulfate solutions was studied in the presence of T. ferrooxidans. To measure the chemical activity of bacteria, and the oxidation rate of iron, the redox potentials of solutions were continuously monitored during the experiments. The redox potentials were simultaneously monitored on the platinum and pyrite indicator electrodes. The redox potential versus time curves were further used to calculate the basic kinetic parameters, such as the reaction orders, the activation energy, and the frequency factor. It was found that under atmospheric conditions, and at Fe2+ < 0.001M, T < 25°C, and at pH above 2.2, the oxidation of iron is governed by the following rate expression: [equation image] Below pH = 2.2, the oxidation rate is independent of H+ Concentration.
Keywords
  • bacteria,
  • redox potential,
  • oxidation
Publication Date
January, 1989
Publisher Statement
Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.
Citation Information
David J. Oliver, B. Pesic and P. Wichlacz. "An Electrochemical Method of Measuring the Oxidation Rate of Ferrous to Ferric Iron with Oxygen in the Presence of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans" Biotechnology and Bioengineering Vol. 33 Iss. 4 (1989)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/david_oliver/31/