Nickel complexation as an innovative approach for nickel-cobalt selective recovery using sulfate-reducing bacteria

This study evaluated the differences in nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co) solubility in the presence of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) to evaluate the feasibility of selective recovery of both metals from mine-impacted waters. A series of sulfate reducing activity tests with Ni, Co and both metals showed that up to 99 % Ni remained soluble despite the availability of sulfide for precipitation, while Co sulfide precipitation always occurred (over 84.5 %). The characterization of proteins in the liquid phase of the experiments revealed that some proteins were only produced in the experiments where Ni displayed higher solubility, suggesting their involvement in metal complexation. Some functions of these proteins included maintaining Ni homeostasis, acting as metalloenzymes and containing Ni-binding ligands. Desulfomicrobium baculatum, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Desulfovibrio magneticus, were the main responsible species producing these proteins.

Automated summary

This study demonstrated the different solubility of nickel and cobalt in the presence of sulfate reducing bacteria, with nickel remaining soluble while cobalt often precipitated as sulfide. Proteins identified in the experiments were found to play various roles in maintaining nickel homeostasis, functioning as metalloenzymes, and containing nickel-binding ligands. Specific species like Desulfomicrobium baculatum, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Desulfovibrio magneticus were responsible for producing these proteins.