Pyrite Surface after ThiobaciUusferrooxidans Leaching at 30℃

In order to investigate the effect of Thiobacillusferrooxidans on the oxidation of pyrite, two parallel experiments, which employed H2SO4 solutions and acidic solutions inoculated with ThiobaciUus ferrooxidans, were designed and carried out at 30℃. The initial pH of the two solutions was adjusted to 2.5 by dropwise addition of concentrated sulphuric acid. The surfaces of pyrite before exposure to leaching solutions and after exposure to the H2SO4 solutions and acidic solutions inoculated with Thiobacillus ferrooxidans were observed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. There were a variety of erosion patterns by Thiobacillusferrooxidans on the bio-leached pyrite surfaces. A conclusion can be drawn that the oxidation of pyrite might have been caused by erosion of the surfaces. Attachment of the bacteria to pyrite surfaces resulted in erosion pits, leading to the oxidation of pyrite. It is possible that the direct mechanism plays the most important role in the oxidation of pyrite. The changes in iron ion concentrations of both the experimental solutions with time suggest that ThiobaciUus ferrooxidans can enhance greatly the oxidation of pyrite.     

The Machanism of Bacterial Oxidation of Sulphides

The bacteria used in the experiment are Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans separated from acidic mine water in sulphide deposits. The chemoautotrophic bacteria can act directly on sulphides and accelerate the oxidation of sulphides. The experiment shows that the bacteria, as an important microbial factor of gold's supergenous enrichment within the oxidized zones of sulphide deposits, are helpful to dissolve gold and silver in ferric sulphate. In the bacterial oxidation process, the precipitation of goethite is concerned both with the lower activity of ferric ions and with the existence of carbonates in solution. Meanwhile, the acid-resisting and oxidizing ability of the bacteria will certainly lead up to a microbial way of treating the acidic mine water.     

Bioleaching behavior and surface property of pyrites in different metallogenic conditions

The bioleaching behaviors and surface properties of pyrites in two metallogenic conditions by Sulfoba- cillus thermosulfidooxidans were investigated by adsorption tests, zeta-potential measurements and bioleaching ex- periments. It is found that there were significant differences in the microorganism adsorption capacity, electrokinetic properties and bioleaching behaviors for the two pyrites. The S. thermosulfidooxidans adsorption capacity on high temperature hydrothermal （hy high_temp） pyrite is larger than that on sendimentary coal （sed_coal） pyrite. It may be that more extracellular polymeric substances （EPS） is produced when it is difficult for microorganism to make use of hy high temp pyrite as source of energy, and get leaching bacteria attached to pyrite by means of EPS. The zeta-potential measurements indicated that zeta-potential value of hy_high_temp pyrite was higher than that of seal_coal pyrite in pH range of 2-10. After interacting with cells, the IEP （Iso-Electric Point） of hy_high_temp pyrite shifted obviously to that of bacterial. In contrast, the IEP of sed coal pyrite remained unchanged nearly. The bioleaching results showed that hy high_temp pyrite did not dissolve and the leaching extent was only 0.82%, while that of sed_coal pyrite was 34.59%. Attempts were taken to illustrate the remarkable difference between bioleaching results of two pyrites from a semiconductor energy band theory perspective.     

Evolution of mine-pool chemistry at the Sydney Coalfield, Nova Scotia, Canada, and its implications for mine decommissioning

The Sydney Coalfield is the largest in Atlantic Canada in which about 100 coal mines with varied lifespan have been opened since 1720. In the Glace Bay sub-basin, coal seams subcrop close to the Atlantic coast and dip seaward. Coal has been mined at 〉1200 m depth and 11 km from the coastline. Deposited possibly under a marine influence, the coals are enriched in pyrite. During mining abundant acidic sulfates such as melanterite, rozenite, copiapite and halotrichite have accumulated in the underground workings due to pyrite oxidation. The dissolution of these efflorescent salts upon mine flooding at closure gives rise to acidic mine pools wherever insufficient acid-neutralizing materials are present. A major challenge of mine decommissioning in the area is to prevent the discharge of this acidic water into the open ocean. Water monitoring in the 1B Hydraulic System, which consists of ten mines connected at various depths by natural or man-made conduits, shows that the mine pool chemistry varies with the mining practice employed. Although coal has invariably been mined by the room and pillar method, the extent of pillar removal varies from mine to mine. In mines with minimal pillar removal, coal extraction could be as low as 45%, leaving much pyrite for oxidation prior to eventual flooding and an acidic mine pool occurs. In contrast, in mines with extensive pillar removal, coal extraction could amount to 85%, leaving much less pyrite for oxidation. Moreover, the extensive pillar removal caused the collapse of the overlying strata which in some areas include limestone. The infilling of mine workings with carbonate-rich material offsets the effects of acidic effiorescent salts and a mine pool with near-neutral pH results. Geochemical modeling has affirmed the control of local water chemistry by the prevalent mineral assemblage.     

Gold Occurrence and Ore Genesis,Yata Micro—Disseminated Gold Deposit,Guizhou,Southwest China

The mode of occurrence of gold in the Yata micro-disseminated gold deposit is ap-proached through chemical phase studies coupled with ore-dressing monitoring and micro-beam analysis.The results showed that gold occurred for the most part as ultra-microscopic particles adsorbed on the surfaces or fracture planes of pyrite and other sulphides.The proportions of gold of different occurrences were estimated solutions containing nanometer-sized gold particles were prepared following the hydrolysis-reduction procedure and the adsorption of nanometer-sized gold on ordinary sulphides and rocks was experimentally determined.It is evident that sulphides are good adsorbents of gold and this is consistent with geological observations.     

Experimental research on the influence of two cultivation practices on rainfall runoff- and （sandy and muddy） sediment-generating processes in purple soil environment

Rainfall simulations have been conducted to study the soil erosion process of purple soil in two cultivation practices---contour cultivation and downslope cultivation. Results showed that under the two cultivation practices, the surface runoff can be described by the logarithmic function formula. In the initial period of rainfall, the amount of runoff increased with the rainfall duration and 20 minutes later it became relatively constant. The changing process of soil erosion rate may be described by the logarithmic function formula. The erosion rate increased with the rainfall duration and 20 minutes later it also became constant. Under downslope cultivation condition, the soil erosion rate increased more significantly than that under contour cultivation condition in the case of gentle rainfall intensity, and there is no obvious difference in erosion rate for downslope cultivation and contour cultivation practices. However, with increasing rainfall intensity the soil erosion rate under the downslope cultivation condition could be more than 30 times that under the contour cultivation condition. But this kind of difference would be reduced to some extent in the case of heavy rain.     

Pyrite Oxidation in Leaching Process of Radionuclides and Heavy Metals from Uranium Mill Tailings

Pyrite is a sensitive mineral in the geological environment,and its oxidation produces an important geochemical and environmental effect on the control of the redox and pH conditions.Column experiment results were used for modeling the geochemical processes in uranium mill tailings under leac-hing conditions.Oxidation of pyrite dominates the control of the tailings leaching process.The experi-mental and modeling results show that the leachate chemistry changes substantially with the decrease in pyrite consumption.In the initial stage of the leaching experiment,the pyrite is consumed several hun-dred times grater than that in the later stages,for much more oxygen is present in the tailings in the ini-tial stage.As the experiment continues,the tailings is gradually saturated with water and the oxygen concentration greatly decreases and so does pyrite consumption.The experimental and modeling results are useful for the design of mill tailing decommissioning:oxidation process and transport of radioactive nuclides and heavy metals can be constrained by controlling the oxygen concentration of tailings and the infiltration of meteoric water.     

Experimental Studies of the Solubility of Cassiterite and the Extraction of Tin from Granitic Melts

Experiments indicate that the solubility of cassiterite can be enhanced by increasing either acidity or alkalinity in hydrothermal solutions as a consequence of the duality of tin.The minimum solubility of cassiterite is found in neutral solutions.F-and CL-coordination compounds of Sn can alternate with hydroxyl coordination compounds with changing pH in the solutions.In this case,F^- and Cl^- and OH^- can be substituted with each other.The dissolution reaction of cassiterite is of reducing nature.High temperature and acidic reducing environment are favorable for the dissolution of cassiterite and the trans-port of Sn^2 compounds in fluids or solutions.High-temperature fluoride and chloride fluids can all dissolve,extract and enrich Sn to form F^- and /or Cl-coordination compounds,However,Fplays a more important role than Cl.F-coordination compounds are more stable and efficient than Cl-coordination compounds during the transport an enrichment of Sn in melts or solutions.The solubili-ty of cassiterite and the amount of Sn extracted from granitic melt depend not only on T,P,pH and Eh in the fluids or solutions,but also on the amounts of dissociated F^- and Cl^- in the fluids.     

Magmatic Processes of Ashi Volcano,Western Kunlun Mountains,China

The Ashikule volcanic cluster(AVC) in western Kunlun Mountains is located in a graben region at the convergence of the Altun and Kangxiwa fault zones, and consists of more than 10 main volcanoes and dozens of volcanelloes. The Ashi volcano lies in the central part of the volcanic cluster. The lithology, chemical composition and texture of Ashi volcanic rocks were studied in detail, and their implication in magmatic processes was discussed. The phenocrysts in Ashi volcanic rocks consist mainly of plagioclase and pyroxene, and the statistical results of phenocryst contents show that the rocks can be subdivided into two groups. In group A, the content of pyroxene phenocrysts is generally higher than that of plagioclase phenocrysts, but an inverse relation occurs in group B. In TAS diagram, the compositions of both groups fall into the trachyandensite field, but they are obviously concentrated into two clusters. The two clusters exist also in the oxide diagrams. The pyroxene phenocrysts comprise augite, bronzite and hypersthene, and their Mg# histogram shows two peaks. Plagioclase phenocrysts with reaction rim are observed in rocks of both groups. The An values of the core are generally 30–40, and those of the rim are 44–48, which are closer to those of euhedral plagioclases. The bronzites are in equilibrium with the melt, and two sets of magma depths, i.e., 18–25 km and 13–18 km, can be estimated by using thermobarometer proposed by Putirka. The hypersthenes are not in equilibrium with the melt, and can be assigned to xenocrysts. The crystal size distribution(CSD) curves of plagioclase appear as kinked lines indicative of magma mixing. The above analyses show that two magma pockets might exist beneath the Ashi volcano. It is likely that they are connected with each other. The one has more evolved and contains more acidic magma, and the other is a trachyandensite magma pocket characterized by layering. The magma from the upper part of the trachyandensite magma pocket might mix with more acidic magma, resulting in a magma that is more acidic than the magma from the lower part.     

Late Paleozoic Sequence-Stratigraphic Frameworks and Sea Level Changes in Dianqiangui Basin and Its Adjacent Areas with Systematic Revision of Regional Unconformities

The formation process of the Dianqiangui basin, a special basin, occurred after the Caledonian orogeny, in the south of Guizhou, the west of Giamgxo and the southeast of Yunnan, experienced three periods:it began in the Devonian, persisted in the Carboniferous, and became fiercer in the Permian. Controlled by syndepositional fault-zones, varieties of isolated carbonate platforms, large and small, were developed in the of a deep-water basin, namely, an inter-platform ditch. And a special paleogeographical Late Paleozoic pattern marked by “platform-basin-hill-trough” was produced in both the Dianqiangui basin and its adjacent arms. Affected by regional tectonic activities and the global changes in the sea level, the platform carbonates and coal measures superimposed each other cyclically on the attached platform. The reef-building on the isolated platform and the margin of the attached platform corresponds to the development of the shale succession in the deep-water basin. All of these elementary characteristics reflect a regular and sophisticated filling sucoession of the Dianqiangui basin, a result of the dual controls of the regionally tectonic activities and the eustacy.Based on the two elementary features of the third-order sequences, i.e. the regularity of sedimentary-facies succession in space and the simultaneity of environmental changes in time, 25 third-order sequences could be discerned in the Upper Paleozoic strata in the Dianqiangui basin and its adjacent areas. On the basis of the two kinds of facies-changing surfaces and the two kinds of diachronisms in stratigraphic records, the regional Late Paleozoic sequence-sequence-stratigraphic framework in the Dianqiangui basin and its adjacent areas can be established.There are two types of facies-changing surfaces and two types of diachronisms in stratigraphic records: the static type, a result of the change in sedimentary facies in space, and the dynamic type, a remit of the change in time. These two types of facies-changing surfaces led to the generation of the two types of diachronisms: the diachronism of facies-changing surfaces that was formed by the static facies-changing surfaces, and the diachronism of punactuated surfaces that was formed by the dynamic facies-changing surfaces. The two types of facieschanging surfaces and the two types of diachronisms in stratigraphic records are the key to the establishment of the sequence-stratigraphic framework, The sequence boundaries could be divided geologically into four types:tectonic unconformity, sedimentary unconformity,drowned unconformity and their correlative surfaces,All of these four types can be further grouped into exposed punctuated surfaces and deepened punctuated surfaces,The tectonic unconformity in similar to Type Ⅰ sequence boundary,and the sedimentary unconformity is similar to Type Ⅱ sequence boundary defined by Vail et al.In terms of sequence stratigraphy,the tectonic unconformities of the Ziyun movement,the Qiangui epeirogeny and the Dongwu revolution as well as the drowned unconformity in the transitional period from the Permian to the Triassic can be systematically defined and their geological characteristics are briefly presented.     

Mechanism and Modes of Microbial Minerogenesis of Polymetallic Nodules on the Ocean Floor

This paper presents a quantitative analysis of the relations of the occurrence of polymetallic nodules with the geochemical actions of microbes in the seawater, pore water and sediments at the bottom of the eastern Pacific Ocean basin. Emphasis is laid on the relations of the activity intensity and biochemical transformation rate of aerobic bacteria (iron bacteria, Thiobacillus thioparus, halobacteria and manganese-oxidizing bacteria) and anaerobic bacteria (sulphate-reducing bacteria, denitrifying bacteria, Thiobacillus denitrificans) with mineralization. The experimental research on the migration and accumulation of ore-forming elements caused by microbial and chemical actions shows that the microbes have changed the conditions of oxidation and reduction in the system, and their effect on the element precipitation is much stronger than the chemical actions and accelerates the enrichment of Fe and Mn. It demonstrates that the microbes can change the environment to promote the accumulation of ore-formin     

Forms of Iron in the Phosphorites of Abu—Tartur Area,Egypt

The Campanian-Maastrichtian phosphatic deposits in Egypt,called the Duwi Forma-tion,comprise a part of the extensive Middle East to North African phosphogenic province of Late Cretaceous to Paleogene age.The province holds the greatest accumulation of phosphorites in the geological history,possibly in excess of 70 billion metric tons.The phosphate resources in Egypt alone exceed 3 billion metric tons.Two-third of these three billions occur only in the Abu-Tartur area.Among the phosphorite deposits in Egypt,the phosphorites of the Abu-Tartur area are characterized by high contents of iron ranging from 3% to 7% with an average of 5%.The detailed mineralogical and geochemical studies on the Abu-Tartur phosphorites revealed that iron is found in the form of pyrite,ankerite,clay minerals,microinclusions,and iron oxide.Pyrite,which is the major fraction,occurs as filling cement and partial to complete teplacement of phosphatic grains and confined to the fresh phosphorites while iron oxide occurs as cryp-tocrystalline aggregates of red to brown particles and is confined to the weathered outcrops.Ex-clusive relations between pyrite in the fresh phosphorite samples inside the Abu-Tartur mine and iron oxide in the equivalent horizon of the weathered exposure indicated that iron oxide was formed by the oxidation of pyrite as a result of weathering.All of these forms harm the quality of ore,manufacturing processes,and the produced phosphoric acid and fertilizers.     

Interplay of S and As in Mekong Delta sediments during redox oscillations

The cumulative effects of periodic redox cycling on the mobility of As,Fe,and S from alluvial sediment to groundwater were investigated in bioreactor experiments.Two particular sediments from the alluvial floodplain of the Mekong Delta River were investigated:Matrix A(14 m deep)had a higher pyrite concentration than matrix B(7 m deep)sediments.Gypsum was present in matrix B but absent in matrix A.In the reactors,the sediment suspensions were supplemented with As(Ⅲ)and SO_4~(2-),and were subjected to three full-redox cycles entailing phases of nitrogen/CO_2,compressed air sparging,and cellobiose addition.Major differences in As concentration and speciation were observed upon redox cycling.Evidences support the fact that initial sediment composition is the main factor controlling arsenic release and its speciation during the redox cycles.Indeed,a high pyrite content associated with a low SO_4~(2-)content resulted in an increase in dissolved As concentrations,mainly in the form of As(Ⅲ),after anoxic half-cycles;whereas a decrease in As concentrations mainly in the form of As(Ⅴ),was instead observed after oxic half-cycles.In addition,oxic conditions were found to be responsible for pyrite and arsenian pyrite oxidation,increasing the As pool available for mobilization.The same processes seem to occur in sediment with the presence of gypsum,but,in this case,dissolved As were sequestered by biotic or abiotic redox reactions occurring in the Fe—S system,and by specific physico-chemical condition(e.g.pH).The contrasting results obtained for two sediments sampled from the same core show that many complexes and entangled factors are at work,and further refinement is needed to explain the spatial and temporal variability of As release to groundwater of the Mekong River Delta(Vietnam).     

Mineralogy, Fluid Inclusion and H-O-C-S Stable Isotopes of Mengqiguer Uranium Deposit in the Southern Yili Basin, Xinjiang: Implication for Ore Formation

The Mengqiguer deposit in the southern Yili basin Ili Basin is a large interlayer-oxidation-zone type uranium deposit. In this paper, we applied multiple methods including microscopic observation, scanning electron microscope and electronic probe, to analyze the systematical alteration characteristics of the ore-bearing sandstone layer. Fluid inclusion and stable isotope studies on the ore-bearing sandstone have also been carried out to discuss the internal relations between fluid activities, epigenetic alteration and the uranium mineralization. Major epigenetic alteration include clay alteration, carbonatization and pyritization, of which biogenetic pyritization is most closely related to the uranium mineralization. This suggests the existence of microorganism during the uranium mineralization process. The mineralization fluids of low temperature, medium density but varied salinities are suggested to be derived from multi-source, including the meteoric water and organic acidic vapor components from coal-bearing strata. Uranium mineralization, grain-dispersed kaolinite, limonite, colloidal pyrite, and the carbonate cements associated with sulfate-reducing bacteria were formed by meteoric water and vermicular-shaped kaolinite, autologous pyrite, and the carbonate cementation associated with the dehydroxylation of organic matter was formed by organic acidic. Based on these results, we consider that the uranium mineralization and epigenetic alteration both resulted from the reciprocity of organic–inorganic fluid and fluid–rock during the formation of the interlayer oxidation zone.     

Naturally acidic and metalliferous waters at unmined volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in the Bonnifield mining district, Alaska Range, east-central Alaska

The Bonnifield district hosts 26 tmmined volcanogenic massive sulfide （VMS） occurrences. Environmental geochemical samples of water and stream sediment were collected at several occurrences, concentrating on the two best-exposed and largest deposits, Red Mountain （RM） and Sheep Creek （SC）. Limited samples were also collected at the poorly exposed WTF deposit. The deposits are Late Devonian to Early Mississippian, and are hosted by felsic metavolcanic and carbonaceous schist members of the Totatlanika Schist or Keevy Peak Fm. Spring and stream waters at RM and SC have pH values commonly 〈3.5 （as low as 2.4 at RM and 2.5 at SC）, high conductivity （up to 11000 μS/cm）, and very high （Is to 100s mg/L） dissolved contents of Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Pb. Waters at RM are characterized by extremely high REE contents （summed REE median 3200 μg/L, n=33）. At both RM and SC, pyrite oxidation and dissolution produce low pH waters that interact with and dissolve bedrock minerals, resulting in acidic, metal-laden, naturally degraded streams that are mostly devoid of aquatic life. Ferricrete is common. In contrast, WTF barely produces a surficial environmental footprint, mostly due to topography and relief. RM and SC are well exposed in the areas of relatively high relief, and both exhibit extensive areas of quartz-sericite-pyrite-alteration. While WTF shares many of the same deposit-and alteration characteristics, it is concealed by tundra in a large, nearly flat area. Surface water at WTF is absent and outcrops are sparse. Even though WTF is roughly the same size as Red Mountain （both around 3 million tonnes） and has similar base- and precious-metal grades, the surficial geochemical manifestation of WTF is minimal. However, exposure through mining of the altered, mineralized rock at WTF potentially could initiate the same processes of pyrite oxidation, acid generation, and mineral dissolution that are observed naturally at RM and SC.     

Performance of alkaline reactive materials in the remediation of acidic groundwater

Acidic groundwater and surface water are common problems in coastal Australia causing massive fish kills, attack of concrete and steel structures, and clogging of waterways. The best solution is the construction of a permeable reactive barrier （PRB） to neutralise the acidic groundwater before entering nearby waterways. A PRB consists of a trench filled with reactive material that intersects the flow-path of a contaminant plume and ameliorates the contaminated groundwater. A PRB is being designed in a pilot scale study in ASS in southeastern Australia. The groundwater is acidic （pH 3） with high A1 （40 mg/L） and Fe （530 mg/L） levels. When the acidic groundwater comes into contact with this PRB, the acid will be neutralized by the alkaline reactive materials and the aluminum and iron will be removed from the groundwater. Twenty-five alkaline materials were tested for use in the PRB, with an emphasis on waste materials, including oyster shells and recycled concrete. Batch tests were used to select the best two reactive materials for use in the column tests. The pH achieved by each material was controlled by the reaction kinetics of the dominant alkaline component.     

钨在表生作用中的富集模拟实验

The adsorption of tungsten on ferric oxide, manganese dioxide, slate, carbonaceous slate,kaolinite and bentonite in the solutions of pH 4---9 at atmospheric temperatures and pressures has been examined. Experimental results show that acidic solution is in favour of the adsorption of tungsten on the adsorbents. The adsorptivities of these adsorbents for tungsten decrease with increasing pH values for the solutions. Of all the substances joining the expe-riment, Fe2O3 is possessed of the highest adsorptivity and clays of the lowest. Their adsorptivities reduce in the order of Fe2O3, MnO, carbonaceous slate, SiO2, slate and clay in neutral and acidic solutions and of Fe2O3, carbonaceous slate, MnO, slate, clay and SiO2 in alkaline solutions. The adsorption of tungsten on the adsorbents and its pH dependence can be explained by the presence of W(VI) complex cations. The increase of pH results in the reduction of their quantities in the solutions with concomitant diminution of adsorptivity.Experimental data indicate that W shows a strong tendency of concentration during supergene processes in tungsten geochemical provinces. Therefore, it is of particular significance in the formation of tungsten-bearing formations.     

安徽罗河铁矿的硫同位素温度及意义

The Luohe iron deposit is a volcano-pneumato-hydatogenetic metasomatic deposit of late Mesozoic age. In addition to magnetite, this ore deposit contains abundant pyrite and anhydrite. The temperatures of mineralization and alteration may he estimated from sulfur isotopic fractionation between the coexisting anhydrite and pyrite. The fact that the estimated temperatures from the weakly altered zone using the sulfate-pyrite equation of H. Ohmoto and R. O. Rye (1979) coincide with those estimated by other means (e.g. fluid inclusion), but the opposite holds true with those from the strongly altered zone indicates the establishment of isotopic equilibrium between anhydrite and pyrite in the weakly altered zone.However,assuming δ^34SAub=δ^34SSO2 and δ^34Spy=δ^34SH2S and using the SO2-H2S equation,the isotopic temperatures from the strongly altered zone are reported to be coineident with the data from fluid inclusions and one formation on.So the authors consider that there was established an equilibrium between SO2 and H2S in hydrothermal fluids during strong alteration,and the mechanisms of formation of anhydrite and pyrite in the two altered zones are probably different.     

Preliminary Study on PAHs Distribution in High-grade Oil Shale and Its Spontaneous Combustion Product in Fushun, Liaoning Province

Spontaneous combustion of oil shale is very common as a result of long-time exposure to the air in the Fushun West Open-Pit Mine and West Dump. The PAHs in the high-grade off shale and its spontaneous combustion product were analyzed semiquantitatively by GC-MS in order to investigate their distribution in different states and their potential negative effects on the environment. Totally 57 and 60 PAHs and their alkyl homologues were identified in the two analyzed samples, among which the alkyl derivatives were predominant, taking up to about 65% in the total PAHs. Those low-molecular mass PAHs （3- or 4-ring） were the main compounds in the two samples. Ten of sixteen USEPA priority pollutant PAHs were detected in two samples, of which phenanthrene was the richest whose contents were 6.93% and 15.03%. Based on comparison of analysis results, the amount and contents of PAHs, except for triaromatic steroid group, were higher in the burning oil shale. So it can be determined that the effects caused by spontaneous combustion of oil shale would be more serious and that the effects of the Fushun oil shale and its spontaneous combustion on the environment should not be ignored in the future work.     

Degradation of potassium-bearing minerals by thermophilic Aspergiilusfumigatus and its optimal conditions

Potassium fertilizer is in short supply in China. However, there is a considerable resource of insoluble potassium resources in the soil mineral or potassium-baring low-degrade rocks. Most of these kinds of potassium exist in aluminous silicate minerals from which potassium cannot be absorbed directly by plants. So it is very important to study how to release potassium from soil minerals or rocks by using biological action. Recently, a large number of researches on degradation of potassic mineral by bacterial but few by fungi have been reported. In order to study the degradation of potassic mineral by fungi, we isolated a strain of thermophilic fungi TH003, which can use potassic rock as nutrient source. The strain was identified as Aspergillus fumigatus based on its morphological characters and molecular biology. In this paper, the direct and indirect processes of mineral powder degradation with the strain of TH003 were studied： mineral powder was added in medium directly for cultivation so as to investigate the direct process. For the purpose of studying indirect process, mineral powder was wrapped up in a parcel using membrane with pore size of 0.22 μm, and then the parcels were added in the medium. The interaction between mineral granules and mycelia was observed by using TEM and AFM at different stages during the whole experimental procedure. The results showed that the effect of direct process is stronger than that of indirect process. For instance, the content of K^＋ is higher in both culture media and mycelia. Direct process includes mechanical demolishment, adsorption, parceling, phagocytosis, erosion and comprehensive effect, while indirect process only refers to erosion on the surface of mineral granules by metabolic products of mycelia. The technology of fermentation engineering was employed to study the biological effects of the strain of Aspergillus fumigatus TH003 on the minerals bating low-grade potassium. Nutrition factors and culture conditions that affect the process of mineral powder degrading with the strain of TH003 were studied in this paper. The results showed that glucose and corn steep are the optimal carbon and nitrogen resources in the strain culture medium, and that pH values range from 3.0 to 9.0.