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Jarosite crystallization in the presence of amino acids

Harrison Crabbe Natalya Fernandez Franca Jones 1

1. Curtin University, Perth 6845, Australia

Abstract

The mineral jarosite (KFe3(SO4)2(OH)6) is commonly found in environments such as acid sulphate soils, acid mine wastes, saline lakes and hypogene systems. It is also produced in some hydrometallurgical operations (such as zinc processing) to remove unwanted iron and improve metal concentrates. In many, if not all, systems microbes also exist, often being a critical component of them. The relationship between jarosite and microbes is, however, not fully understood. In the case of acid mine drainage, jarosite formation could be extremely beneficial by locking away toxic metals often released by the high acidity but this depends on the stability of the jarosite in this environment. As a precursor to understanding the impact microbes have on jarosite formation, we have looked at small amino acids. Even if such small molecules are not incorporated into the jarosite mineral structure, it is probable that they will interact with growing crystallites to modify their growth rate, morphology and particle size.

Our studies focus on the formation of jarosite in the presence of amino acids and look at parameters such as i) yield ii) morphology and iii) phase. The talk will present the results of jarosite formation in the presence of four amino acids, and their impact on these crystallization properties.
 

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Related papers

Presentation: Oral at 17th International Conference on Crystal Growth and Epitaxy - ICCGE-17, General Session 3, by Franca Jones
See On-line Journal of 17th International Conference on Crystal Growth and Epitaxy - ICCGE-17

Submitted: 2013-03-26 01:20
Revised:   2013-03-26 01:20