The use of a 'cytopherometer' in electrophoretic studies of minerals and mineral-leaching bacteria / Syed M. Ahmed, Mineral Sciences Division.: M34-20/140E-PDF

“The application of a 'Cytopherometer' (Carl Zeiss Inc.) to electrokinetic studies of mineral suspensions in aqueous electrolyte solutions has been investigated. The Cytopherometer was modified by incorporating palladium electrodes with electrochemically occluded hydrogen. Thus modified, the Cytopherometer enables fast and accurate electrokinetic measurements to be made on mineral suspensions in liquids. Precautions to be taken in the use of palladium electrodes are given. It was found from electrokinetic studies that the mineral-leaching bacteria, thiobacillus-ferrooxidans did not acquire any surface charge in acidic solutions of KNO3, KCl, Fe2+, Fe3+, NH4+, Mg2+, and Ca2+. This electrical neutrality of the bacterial surface is probably due to the protective action of the bacterial membrane. However, the bacteria developed a strong negative charge in alkaline solutions of KNO3 and KCl which is attributed to the rupture of protective membrane and the formation of R< NH2/COO- groups on the cellular surface. Any ionic surfactant that may be used to enhance the bacterial leaching of minerals (in acid solutions) should have a charge that is opposite to the charge on the mineral surface. The amount of surfactant to be used may also be critical"--Abstract, p. i.

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