(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1990) Bosch, Craig; Loos, M. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Microbiology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The oxidation of pyrite by the acidophilic chemolithotrophic bacterial species, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, leads to the formation of large volumes of acid drainage, a major environmental pollution problem associated with the mining and storage of sulphide-containing ores. Measures to control acid mine drainage include the treatment of acidic effluent or the chemical or physical inhibition of T. ferroxidans. The present research was a study of the possibility of inhibiting T. ferrooxidans in gold mine sand and coal discard dumps by various chemicals, including sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) applied to pilot scale coal discard dumps.