Raman imaging of copper ores


Raman imaging of copper ores

Kostudis, S.; Hof, M.; Kutschke, S.; Pollmann, K.

In Middle Europe large deposits of Kupferschiefer involve the Upper Lusatia, the northeastern part of Saxony. The regional Kupferschiefer raised again interest of both industry and science because in this region its copper content constitutes the most important natural copper resource. There is no efficient biotechnological approach applied yet due to the fact that Kupferschiefer is complexly composed comprising different sulfidic minerals, carbonates and organic compounds. Bioleaching, which means the use of microorganisms and their metabolites to extract metals from their ores, reduces costs of high energy input and avoids the usage of toxic chemicals thus benefitting environment (Narayan 2009) and employees.
Raman spectroscopy enables a fast and specific chemical identification of minerals and ores (Hope 2001) as well as the detection of changes e.g. that are caused by oxidation (García-Meza 2012). Also Raman spectroscopic imaging of biotic components such as biofilms has already been performed (Virdis 2012).
We aim to use Raman spectroscopy to investigate the interactions of microorganisms and ore surface: Different polished sections of bornite, chalcopyrite (both from Henderson Mine, Namagualand, South Africa), chalcosite (Ashio, Japan) and copper shale (Polkovice, Poland) were analysed by polarising microscopy to ensure correct spectra assignment. Subsequently identical areas were analysed by Raman imaging using 2D scanning function. After incubation with microorganisms the sections will be investigated again in order to evaluate chemical changes of the ore surfaces, biofilm formation and to monitor bioleaching processes.

  • Poster
    RamanFest 2013 Symposium, 23.-24.05.2013, Lille (Nord), Frankreich

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Publ.-Id: 18641