Biological and Chemical Leaching of Arsenic and Zinc from Adamite
Abstract
Chemical and biological leaching of Zn and As from synthetic mineral adamite (Zn2AsO4(OH)) was performed using oxalic and citric acids and Aspergillus niger strain in water. Adamite and its bioleachates were analyzed for Zn and As by coulometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The fungal strain was able to release As and Zn from solids and transform them to zinc oxalate and propionate. The chemical leaching was able to release more than 90 % of As and Zn. The method could be used in hydrometallurgy for recovery of As and Zn from solids.