Enhancement of the specific growth rate of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans by diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth is an effective carrier with a large surface area on whi ch Thiobacillus ferrooxidans adsorbs, and enhances the oxidation rate of fe rrous ions by the bacterium. The adsorption of T. ferrooxidans on diatomace ous earth was expressed by the Henry isotherm, and reached equilibrium with in five minutes. The enhancement was due to an Increase in the growth rate of the adsorbed cells, which were so active that their specific growth, rat e calculated using a Monod-type equation was higher than that of the free c ells in the liquid phase.