Abstract Microbial biomass is considered a renewable and environmentally friendly resource. Thus, the research conducted a kinetic study and thermodynamic equilibrium modeling of the cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) bioadsorption process using the Rhodococcus opacus (RO) strain as a biosorbent. The inactive biomass subjected to 0.1 M NaOH pretreatment was brought into contact with synthetic solutions of Co and Mn. The experimental data for the Co(II) and Mn(II) bioadsorption process were fit to the Langmuir model with kads of 0.65 and 0.11 L.mg-1, respectively. A better statistical fit was also obtained for the pseudo-second order kinetic model (R2Co(II) = 0.994 and R2Mn(II) = 0.995), with 72.3% Co(II) and 80% Mn(II) removals during the first 10 min. In addition, a higher affinity of RO for the Co(II) ion was observed, with maximum uptake values of 13.42 mg.g-1; however, a higher adsorption rate was observed for Mn(II) ion (k = 0.21 g.mg-1.min-1 at 318 K). The bioadsorption process was spontaneous and dependent on temperature, being endothermic and irreversible for the Co(II) ion (∆H = 2951.91 J.mol-1) and exothermic and reversible for the Mn(II) ion (∆H = -2974.8 J.mol-1). The kinetic and thermodynamic equilibrium modeling allowed to identify the main mechanisms involved in the biosorption process of both metals.

Abstract The aim of this study is to assess the floatability of hematite using a crude biosurfactant (BS) extracted from Rhodococcus opacus. Throughout high-pressure ethanol extraction, unrefined surfactant was extracted from the bacteria with a yield of 0.3 g/L. An FTIR analysis on this extract, shows the presence of alcohol (–OH) and ketone (C=O) groups, as well as saturated and unsaturated carbon chains, which might originate from mycolates and trehalolipids moieties reported in literature. In addition, FTIR analysis on the modified mineral surface with the unrefined surfactant, confirms a strong interaction between hematite and the crude biosurfactant, showing similar vibrational peaks regarding the hydroxyl and carboxylate groups at 1631 and 3436 cm-1, respectively. Biosurfactant interaction with the mineral particles shifted the isoelectric point from 7.5 to 3.2, turning the hematite more hydrophobic in acidic environments. Surface tension measurements indicate that the unrefined surfactant is slightly more effective, decreasing the surface tension of water compared to the bacteria itself, with a variation of 4 mM/m. Finally, throughout microflotation tests in a Hallimond tube, it is shown that the surfactant doubles bacteria recovery efficiency, reaching a maximum recovery of around 95 % in acidic conditions, which is consistent with electrophoretic studies. The statistical models adjust well the experimental data, achieving R2 values of 93.6 and 91.1% for the hematite flotation using the biomass and the biosurfactant, respectively.

Abstract Adsorption of microorganisms and/or their different components onto a mineral surface would modify the surface characteristics of the mineral. Thus, this investigation evaluated the adsorption capacity of the Rhodococcus opacus strain onto an apatite surface. Zeta potential and contact angle measurements of the mineral showed dislocations of the values after interaction with the microorganism. The maximum adsorption density reached was 24.10 mg of bacterial cells per gram of mineral using a biomass concentration of 400 mg/L. The experimental data were linearly fitted by the Freundlich model and the adsorption density as a function of time was linearly fitted by the pseudo-second order kinetic equation. The results showed that the bacterial strain has affinity for the apatite surface and ability to make it hydrophobic.

Abstract The use of biosurfactants as reagents represents a promising alternative to the conventional surfactants used in the mineral industry because they may present low toxicity and high biodegradability. Therefore, this research studied the hematite and quartz flotation kinetics using surfactant produced by Rhodococcus erythropolis as bioreagent. The flotation kinetics of both minerals were evaluated under established conditions: biosurfactant concentration of 10 mg/L and solution pH of 3. The maximum floatability values were of 99.98% and 17.53% for hematite and quartz, respectively, after 2 minutes of flotation. Finally, the kinetics study indicated that the experimental data of hematite floatability was better fitted to both the first and non-integral order kinetics, while the experimental data of quartz floatability was better fitted to the non-integral order kinetic.

Abstract It is well known that the culture conditions of microorganisms may affect their surface properties, zeta potential and hydrophobicity via the modification of the cell wall functional groups or metabolic products. The R. opacus bacteria strain was separately adapted to the presence of apatite and quartz, after which a cellular adaptation procedure was developed by repeated sub-culturing with a successive increase in the mineral content. Zeta potential, surface tension, FTIR and microflotation studies were used to evaluate the behavior of the cells that were developed under defined culture conditions. The cellular adaptation induced a modification of the bacterial surface charge. The FTIR results showed a modification of its functional groups. The surface tension results suggested that longer growing time promoted a higher production of metabolites. The use of mineral-adapted cells promoted an improvement in the flotability of both minerals, but it was more significant for apatite flotation. Additionally, the mineral flotability remained unchanged when the cells developed under a longer culture time. Nevertheless, there was a reduction in the surface tension.

This work deals with the fundamental aspects of apatite and quartz bioflotation using R. opacus bacteria as a bioreagent. It was observed that the flotability of both minerals depends on the pH value and the mineral particle size. The maximum flotability of both minerals was presented at a pH value of 5, achieving values of 90% and 14% for apatite and quartz, respectively, after seven minutes of flotation. The kinetics analysis showed that the smaller the apatite particle size, the lower its bioflotation rate value. On the other hand, the smaller the quartz particle size, the higher its bioflotation rate value. The first-order kinetic model better fitted the experimental data of both minerals, and a logarithmic relationship between particle size and kinetic rate constant was observed.

Um modelo matemático da remoção de matéria orgânica (demanda química de oxigênio - DQO) de emulsões sintéticas água-óleo pelo processo de eletrocoagulação foi desenvolvido para avaliar a redução da DQO. O modelo compreende os três fundamentos da eletrocoagulação: coagulação, eletroquímica e flotação. Ao comparar os valores experimentais e calculados de DQO, verificou-se que o modelo foi capaz de predizer a concentração de matéria orgânica (DQO) presente nas emulsões e descrever satisfatoriamente o processo de eletrocoagulação.

A mathematical model of the organic matter (chemical oxygen demand - COD) removal from synthetic oil-water emulsions by the electrocoagulation process was developed to evaluate the COD abatement. The model comprises the three fundaments of electrocoagulation: electrochemistry, coagulation and flotation. By comparing the experimental and calculated values of COD, it was found that the model was able to adequately predict the concentrations of organic matter (COD) present in the emulsions and satisfactorily describe the electrocoagulation process.

Nesse trabalho, é apresentada a eletroflotação de finos de cassiterita, utilizando-se o Rhodococcus opacus (R. opacus) como biorreagente. A avaliação da interação desse micro-organismo com a superfície do mineral foi realizada através de experimentos envolvendo medidas de potencial zeta, ângulo de contato e ensaios de adsorção. Adicionalmente, os efeitos da densidade de corrente e concentração de micro-organismo no tamanho médio de bolhas (Sauter) foram também avaliados. Após a interação, foi observado um caráter hidrofóbico nas partículas, como verificado pela medida de ângulo de contato. Além disso, foram observadas mudanças na mobilidade eletroforética das partículas de cassiterita, para valores próximos de zero. O tamanho médio de bolhas, obtido através da técnica de difração laser, foi de 26 µm. A densidade de corrente e a concentração de bactérias mostraram-se como os parâmetros de maior influência no tamanho de bolhas. Os ensaios de eletroflotação constataram uma recuperação máxima em torno de 64,5%, para uma concentração de bactéria de 2,87x10¹² células/mL (50 mg cells/L); densidade de corrente de 51,4 mA/cm² e pH 5,0.

In this work, the electroflotation of cassiterite fine ranges using Rhodococcus opacus (R. opacus) as bioreagent has been carried out. The interaction between R. opacus and mineral surface was valued through the zeta potential, contact angles measurements and adsorption studies. Furthermore, studies were attempted to check the effect of current density and microorganism concentration on mean bubble size (Sauter). After the interaction, the resulting particles exhibited hydrophobic characters, as verified by the increase of the contact angle. Also, the electrophoretic mobilities of cassiterite particles showed a mean value close to zero after interaction with R. opacus. The measurement of bubble size by laser diffraction showed a mean bubble size of 26µm. Current density and bacterial concentration seem to be the main parameters affecting the mean diameter of the bubbles. An electroflotation test reported recovery of around 64.5% at pH 5, concentration of 2.87x10¹² cells/ml (50 mg/L) and current density of 51.4 mA/cm².

Uma análise termodinâmica da remoção de matéria orgânica (DQO) de emulsões sintéticas óleo-água, pelo processo de eletrocoagulação, foi feita com o objetivo de determinar as espécies iônicas mais estáveis, em diferentes condições de pH e concentração de alumínio, de modo a identificar os possíveis mecanismos de remoção. A análise sugere que as espécies predominantes, durante o estágio reativo, são o hidróxido de alumínio amorfo (para a especiação mononuclear do alumínio) e a espécie trimérica positivamente carregada, Al3(OH)4(5+) (para a especiação polinuclear do alumínio). A desestabilização da emulsão, provavelmente, ocorre por meio de neutralização de carga, conduzida, conjuntamente, pela espécie polinuclear e por partículas de hidróxido de alumínio positivamente carregadas. Esse mecanismo de sorção deve ser o mecanismo primário de coagulação, durante o estágio reativo. Pode haver também a formação de precipitados de hidróxido e/ou óxido de alumínio, durante o estágio de estabilização, o que sugere a modificação gradual do mecanismo dominante de remoção para floculação por varredura (sweep flocculation).

A thermodynamic analysis of the organic matter (chemical oxygen demand - COD) removal from synthetic oil-water emulsions by the electrocoagulation process was performed with the objective of determining the most stable ionic species under diverse pH and aluminum concentration conditions and identifying possible removal mechanisms. The analysis suggests that the predominant species during the reactive stage are the amorphous aluminum hydroxide (for the mononuclear speciation of aluminum) and the positively charged trimeric species, Al3(OH)45+ (for the polynuclear speciation of aluminum). The emulsion destabilization probably occurs by charge neutralization, carried out jointly by the polynuclear species and by positively charged aluminum hydroxide. This sorption mechanism is likely to be the primary coagulation mechanism during the reactive stage. The formation of aluminum hydroxide and/or oxide during the stabilization stage may also take place, which indicates the gradual change of the dominant removal mechanism to sweep flocculation.

Nesse estudo foi avaliada a capacidade de biossorção de íons chumbo em solução aquosa pela bactéria Rhodococcus opacus. Avaliou-se em batelada o efeito do pH da solução, concentração da biomassa, tempo de contato e concentração inicial do metal. A cinética adequou-se melhor ao modelo de pseudo-segunda ordem. Empregaram-se as isotermas de Langmuir e Freundlich para representar o processo de sorção no equilíbrio. O valor da capacidade máxima de captação (q max) obtida pelo modelo de Langmuir foi de 94,34 mg g-1. No ensaio de biossorção competitiva a remoção do chumbo foi afetada pela presença de outros metais na solução.

The biosorption of lead ions from aqueous solution by Rhodococcus opacus bacteria was evaluated in this study. The effects of the solution's pH, biomass concentration, contact time and initial metal concentration were studied in batch experiments. The results of the kinetics studies revealed that the biosorption of lead on R. opacus cells followed pseudo-second order kinetics. The equilibrium data was analyzed using Freundlich and Langmuir models. The maximum uptake capacity (q max) obtained by the Langmuir adsorption model was 94.34 mg.g-1. In the competitive biosorption experiments, the lead removal was affected by the presence of other metal ions in the solution.

Esse trabalho tem o objetivo de apresentar uma análise dos principais aspectos sobre o uso de biomassas como biorreagentes na remoção de metais pesados contidos em efluentes líquidos. As vantagens de se utilizarem biossorventes ao invés de sorventes convencionais estão notadamente na relação custo-benefício inerente a essa tecnologia contemporânea. Algas, bactérias, fungos e materiais biológicos em geral (casca de coco, madeira, turfa, etc.) têm revelado avidez na captura de íons metálicos em ambientes aquosos, sendo que sua ubiqüidade diminui o custo total de sistemas de tratamento. Exemplos de pesquisas e patentes são discutidos, demonstrando o sucesso dessa tecnologia emergente.

The objective of this work is to present a review concerning the use of biomass as bioreagents in the removal of heavy metals while treating liquid effluents. The advantages of using these biosorbents instead of conventional sorbents lie on the cost benefit relations inherent in this recent technology. Algae, bacteria, fungi and biological materials (coconut shells, wood, peat etc.) have shown avidity for metal ion uptaking in aqueous environments and their ubiquity decreases the overall treatment system cost. Research and patent examples are discussed, showing the success of this emergent technology.