INVESTIGATION OF THE RATE OF BIOCHEMICAL OXIDATION OF IRON BY THE BACTERIAL STRAIN ACIDITHIOBACILLUS FERROOXIDANS ACH 1 USED FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT

This article discusses the issue of biochemical wastewater treatment by microorganisms. It has been investigated that the rate of iron oxidation by bacteria used in wastewater treatment depends on environmental factors, including temperature. One of the most common and affordable treatment methods is the treatment of industrial wastewater using mineral coagulants (aluminum and iron salts) and flocculants. The main purpose of coagulants and flocculants is to increase the particle size due to their adhesion (aggregation) and, as a result, to increase the efficiency of purification due to filtration, precipitation, and flotation of water. We recommend using the culture liquid of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans bacteria as a coagulant for wastewater treatment of enterprises from metal ions and some organic pollutants. A.ferrooxidans uses Fe 2+ as an energy source, so the concentration of Fe 2+ in the medium can affect the growth of bacteria. In the process of oxidation of ferrous iron to trivalent iron, bacteria receive the energy necessary for their metabolism. Trivalent iron obtained during the oxidation process can be used as a biocoagulant in wastewater treatment. The article shows the optimal temperature for biochemical oxidation of iron by bacteria.